Artificial rearing of Dicyphus tamaninii (Heteroptera : Miridae) on a meat-based diet

An artificial rearing method based on a meat diet for the zoophytophagous m irid bug Dicyphus tamaninii Wagner (Heteroptera: Miridae), a, polyphagous p redator from the Mediterranean basin, was evaluated. More than five continu ous generations were completed on this food source without any plant materi al. Dental cotton rolls were used as an oviposition substrate. When meat-re ared insects of the fifth generation were compared with conventionally rear ed individuals (on tobacco plants with moth eggs as prey), they had a signi ficantly higher egg and nymphal survival, a smaller size, and a delay in im mature development time. The method is an important improvement in the rear ing of this predator because the need for insect prey and a living plant is avoided. (C) 2001 Academic Press.