# Life table of Myrmeleon fuscus Yang (Neuroptera: Myrmeleontidae) fed on different natural diets

## TL;DR

This study examines how different diets affect the life cycle of Myrmeleon fuscus antlion larvae and adults, finding that certain prey species improve survival and reproduction.

## Contribution

The study identifies optimal prey species for M. fuscus larvae and adults, aiding in their potential use for biological control.

## Key findings

- M. fuscus larvae fed on vetch aphids had the shortest larval stage and highest survival rates.
- Adult M. fuscus showed better reproductive performance when fed on Tenebrio molitor compared to other prey.
- Feeding on T. molitor resulted in the highest body weight for M. fuscus at the third instar.

## Abstract

Antlion larvae are sit-and-wait predators that capture arthropods in conical sand traps. The antlion Myrmeleon fuscus Yang (Neuroptera: Myrmeleontidae) is a potential biocontrol agent for the red imported fire ant Solenopsis invicta Buren (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). In this study, we evaluated the life table of M. fuscus when fed on 4 different prey species. The larval stage was shortest when the vetch aphid Megoura crassicauda Mordvilko (Hemiptera: Aphididae) was provided as prey for M. fuscus larvae. Furthermore, the larval survival rate, pupation rate, pupal weight, and emergence rate of M. fuscus fed on M. crassicauda were the highest, suggesting that aphids are the most palatable prey for M. fuscus larvae. M. fuscus adults did not lay eggs when fed with S. invicta or M. crassicauda. They showed a longer oviposition period, higher fecundity, greater intrinsic rate of increase (r), higher net reproductive rate (R0) and greater finite rate of increase (λ) and shorter mean generation time (T) when fed on Tenebrio molitor Linnaeus (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) than on Corcyra cephalonica Stainton (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), indicating that T. molitor was the most suitable for M. fuscus adults. The body weight of M. fuscus fed on T. molitor larvae was the highest at the third instar. Their body lengths continuously increased from the first instar and peaked at the adult stage. These results contribute to the potential for mass production and application of M. fuscus.