Preliminary experiments for rearing and use of the predatory aphid midge, Aphidoletes aphidimyza (rondani) (diptera: cecidomyiidae) for controlling the cotton aphid, Aphis gossypii on cucumber [electronic resource].

Includes references.

Rearing of the predator Aphidoletes aphidimyza and its prey, Rhopalosiphum padi was carried out in two controlled condition rooms of 25±1°C, 70% R.H. and 16 L: 8 D photoperiod. Results showed that cotton wool and peat as pupation substrates gave higher adult emergence rates than sand. Peat keeps the humidity for a longer time. In addition, it is possible to be reused several times. Thus, peat is cheaper than cotton wool in rearing of the predator under investigation. It could be recommended that, to save on staff, time and cost, production should be carried over a 4-day period where the cumulative production was 91% of deposited eggs and 90.9% adults were obtained while total eggs and adults (100%) were obtained in 7 days. In a base unit of 500 individuals of the predator, the total cost comprising; basic cost and peat was 3.077 L.E. where this cost doesn't include the cages and boxes cost. Three releasing rates (1 pupa: 3 aphids, 1: 10 and 1: 20) were tested in cages to control the cotton aphid, A. gossypii on cucumber by the predator. The present findings suggest further experiments to test this predatory midge for controlling aphids in greenhouses by one release at a ratio of 1 pupa: 10 aphids.

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