In Vitro Rearing of the Parasitoid Exorista larvarum (L.) (Diptera: Tachinidae) on Meat Homogenate-Based Diets

The tachinid Exorista larvarum (L.), a polyphagous gregarious larval endoparasitoid of Lepidoptera, was reared from egg to fecund adult on media containing commercial meat homogenates for babies as the main ingredient. Four media, each containing a diverse homogenate supplemented with extract of Gal...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Biological control 1999-11, Vol.16 (3), p.258-266
Main Authors: Dindo, M.L, Farneti, R, Scapolatempo, M, Gardenghi, G
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
artificial diets
Exorista larvarum
meat homogenates
parasitoid rearing
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Summary:The tachinid Exorista larvarum (L.), a polyphagous gregarious larval endoparasitoid of Lepidoptera, was reared from egg to fecund adult on media containing commercial meat homogenates for babies as the main ingredient. Four media, each containing a diverse homogenate supplemented with extract of Galleria mellonella L. pupae, were tested first. Despite the difference in nutrient content, the kind of homogenate did not significantly affect the adult yields (30.2 to 40.7%) or puparial weights. Two other diets free of host materials (I and II) were then tested. Both were based on Gerber veal homogenate combined with different amounts of yeast extract and chicken egg yolk and were supplemented with wheat germ (I) or saccharose (II). Adult yields (28.7 to 32.7%) and puparial weights did not differ significantly between the two diets. Fly longevity and fecundity of the females obtained on diet I were comparable to those of the females emerged from puparia formed in G. mellonella larvae. Male and female puparial weights were, however, higher and development times longer on the diet than in the host.
ISSN:1049-9644
1090-2112
DOI:10.1006/bcon.1999.0772