Benefits and limitations of factitious prey and artificial diets on life parameters of predatory beetles, bugs, and lacewings: a mini-review

The primary peer-reviewed literature pertaining to rearing of predatory beetles, true bugs, and lacewings was reviewed and synthesized. This study focused on the literature published from 1998 to 2007. Advances in rearing were revealed in relation to the influence of factitious prey and artificial diets on predator life parameters. Eggs of the Angoumois grain moth and Mediterranean flour moth were factitious prey that supported the development and reproduction of many species in lieu of natural prey. Artificial diets based on vertebrate protein were generally inferior to factitious prey for production of predators. A few exceptional cases demonstrated potential for continuous rearing of true bugs and lacewings on artificial diet, as a stand-alone food source. Factors that could ensure progressive rearing success might involve (1) exploiting the highly polyphagous nature of certain species, (2) exposing predators to artificial diet for multiple generations to incite adaptation, (3) formulating artificial diets to match the texture and chemical composition of preferred natural prey, and (4) encasing the diet within Parafilm(A (R)) to resemble the shape of natural prey. Encasement may also reduce desiccation and retard spoilage of the diet. Identification of other factitious prey and development of artificial diets that ensure production of predators of high quality should be possible. This review was conducted, for the most part, in support of generalist insect predators used, or having the potential to be used, in augmentative biological control of pests on plants in semi-closed systems, such as greenhouses and interiorscapes.