Macrolophus caliginosus (Hemiptera: Miridae) is a zoophytophagous predator
widely used in integrated pest management programs in both greenhouse and open-field .
Mass rearing of Macrolophus caliginosus is greatly dependent on Ephestia kuehniella
Z
eller (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) eggs as food source. Moreover, the addition of this
factitious prey after the inoculative releases of Macrolophus caliginosus under field
conditions is recommended to facilitate establishment of this mirid. However, E.
kuehniella eggs are expensive and availability is limited. One possible strategy to reduce
the amount of E. kuehniella eggs needed is the provision of sugar.This study was
conducted during the period between May and November in 2014 in the labs of the
Lattakia center of rearing bio enemis. In this work, the effect of sucrose as nutritional
supplement on selected life-history traits of M.caligenosus was studied. The addition of
sucrose (100 g/l) ad libitum to a diet of E. kuehniella eggs significantly increased the
progeny of Macrolophus caliginosus and did not affect survival of nymphs nor
developmental time. Moreover, addition of sucrose significantly reduced the number of E.
kuehniella eggs consumed. These results may have practical implications of interest in
mass rearing systems of M.caliginosus and its management in fields and greenhouses as a
part of integrated control programs.
