Evaluation of Artemia sp. (Branchiopoda, Artemiidae) as an alternative prey for laboratory rearing of Tupiocoris cucurbitaceus (Hemiptera: Miridae), a predator of horticultural pests

Tupiocoris cucurbitaceus (Spinola) (Hemiptera: Miridae) is a predator of whiteflies Aleyrodidae) present in several American countries. Rearing this bug requires the use plants as ovipositional substrate and prey to feed on complete its development. Artemia sp. (Branchiopoda, Artemiidae) cyst, crustacean tested for laboratory rearing other hemipteran species, could be used food, being less expensive than species commonly employed (Sitotroga cerealella [Olivier] [Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae]). The objective study was determine nymphal developmental time, mortality, fertility, sex ratio T. fed cysts. Three diets were during three generations: S. eggs, cysts mix both species. time (11 13 days), mortality (40 66 %), adult fertility (74 101 nymphs / female) similar all diets. In cases, adults showed high female proportion (0.67-0.97). conclusion, are suitable at least generations.