Assessment of different factitious and artificial adult diets on fecundity and longevity of Chrysoperla zastrowi sillemi (Esben-Peterson)

The role of different artificial diets comprising diet 1 (protinex 5 g + fructose 5 g + honey 5 ml + powdered yeast 5 g + distilled water 15 ml) and diet 2 (egg yolk 5 ml + milk 10 ml + honey 5 ml) alone and in combination with castor or maize pollen and control (50% honey solution) was inspected with a view to appraise the fecundity, longevity, larval and pupal period, pupal weight and adult emergence of Chrysoperla zastrowi sillemi. The highest fecundity was documented on diet 9 (diet 1 + diet 2 + maize pollen), diet 6 (diet 1 + diet 2 + castor pollen) and diet 3 (diet 1 + diet 2) with 367.00, 366.00 and 354.93 eggs per female respectively. Highest longevity of female and male was verified on diet 9 (34.33 and 30.33 days respectively) and diet 6 (33.67 and 29.67 days respectively). The shortest larval period of C zastrowi sillemi was perceived on diet 9 (7.06 days) and diet 6 (7.09 days) while it was longest in control (7.82 days). Pupal period was found shortest on diet 6 (6.3 days), diet 9 (6.4 days) and diet 3 (6.4 days) while longest in control (6.9 days). Pupal weight and adult emergence were found more when adult was fed on diet 9 and diet 6 while it was found less in control.