Biological aspects, morphometry and rearing techniques of Abaris basistriata Chaudoir, 1873 and Selenophorus seriatoporus Putzeys, 1878 (Coleoptera: Carabidae)

Abstract

The family Carabidae (Coleoptera) is recognized worldwide for containing important species as biological control agents of agricultural pests. The objetives of the research are the following: (i) to study biological aspects of Abaris basistriata Chaudoir, 1873 and Selenophorus seriatoporus Putzeys, 1878 fed with Tenebrio molitor Linnaeus, 1758 (Coleoptera, Tenebrionidae), (ii) to compare the preference of carabid on T. molitor larvae or pupae, (iii) to develop a rearing technique for A. basistriata and S. seriatoporus, (iv) to characterize morphological and morphometrically the development stages of the carabids. The experiments will be carried out in a room kept at 26±1°C, 70±10% RH, and a photoperiod of 12:12 (L:D) h. Live adults of A. basistriata and S. seriatoporus will be captured in the field and grouped in pairs to obtain eggs and larvae. The rearing container will be kept with sifted and moistened soil for the adults and the development of larvae and pupae be observed. The following biological parameters will be evaluated: duration of development and viability of egg, larvae, pupae and adult, number and duration of each instar, duration of pre-oviposition and oviposition periods, egg production per female, deformations in the wings, male and female longevity, and sex ratio. The preference of A. basistriata and S. seriatoporus by larvae and / or pupae of T. molitor will be compared by mean of a multiple choice test. Data on external morphology and morphometry will be obtained by analyzing juvenile and adult forms of the carabids. (AU)