Ceratittis capitata larvae as an alternative food source for Macrolophus caliginosus

The suitability of mature larvae of the Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata, as an alternative food source for the predatory bug Macrolophus caliginosus, was evaluated in comparison with other standard preys. Our experiment results show that this fictitious prey is accepted by all stages of the mirid bug, although specimens reared on fruit fly larvae are not as performing as those reared either on T. vaporariorum immatures or E. kuehniella eggs. Nevertheless the use of this prey could be envisaged for mass rearing purposes in reason of its low cost.