I'm trying to make a culture of an unknown Nephus sp from Southern Africa to study their life cycle. Currently using just citrus mealybugs (Planococcus citri) to feed them. I'm struggling to find resources to identify them at their different life stages. Also having troubles with the scaling of my project, the ladybirds are really small and difficult to remove from the mealybugs
Have you tried to cover the mealybugs whit a metalic cloth? The Nephus whill feed throug the tini holes in the fabric and you could remove them simply pulling up the cloth
No, I have not. Sounds like a good idea, will they lay their eggs on the material then or will it fall through?
Bernard,
Regarding the identification of the insect I suggest to contact Guillermo Gonzalez in Chile. He has a lot of experience in identification of Coccinellidae from many countries. This is his link: http://www.coccinellidae.cl/ and contact information: [email protected]
I have experience working with biological studies including life tables on several insects, so if needed I can give you more detailed information upon request. My email: [email protected]
Victoria´s idea sounds something to try, since you will be able to get daily oviposition information without much disturbance, but as always you must to do small pre-test to confirm your methodology is ok.
With best regards,
Paola
Would the mealybugs stay in place and the ladybirds foll off if you used a short exposure to CO2?
Nephus feeds on eggs and emerging nymphs trying with mature mealybugs and ovisacs may help I could maintain on Madeira ovisacs
I'm also struggling with this, especially seeing the eggs of the Nephus. Did you find a solution??
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