African Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 6 (17), pp. 2062-2064, 5 September 2007   

ISSN 1684–5315 © 2007 Academic Journals        

Short Communication

Rearing the house fly predator Carcinops pumilio (Erichson) (Coleoptera: Histeridae) using eggs and larvae of Drosophila melanogaster (Meigen) (Diptera: Drosophilidae) as prey

K. A. Achiano and J. H. Giliomee*

Department of Botany and Zoology, University of Stellenbosch, Private Bag X1, Matieland, 7602 South Africa.

*Corresponding author. Tel: +27218082718. E-mail: jhg@sun.ac.za.

Accepted 21 May, 2007

A method was successfully developed for rearing the predatory beetle Carcinops pumilio Erichson (Coleoptera: Histeridae) on the eggs and larvae of Drosophila melanogaster (Meigen) (Diptera: Drosophilidae) in the laboratory. This technology would be useful in mass rearing C. pumilio in biological control programs against house flies.

Key words: Carcinops pumilio, Drosophila melanogaster, rearing.