ABSTRACT
The greatest barrier to mass production of predatory insects as a major force in pest control is the lack of suitable artificial diets. Predators that use chemical cues for prey search and acceptance must find those phagostimulants associated with artificial diets to ensure appropriate patterns of feeding behavior. The issue of quality control of insects reared on artificial diets is in its infancy and that of quality control of entomophages produced on artificial diets is in its early embryonic stages. The physiological studies depend upon morphological information as well as sensory biology, genetics, ecology, and evolution. Demonstration of weak salivary triacylglycerol lipases and strong phospholipases will be a useful guide for making dietary adjustments that suit these differences in enzyme systems. Rationale for diet development described in the literature range from presentation of previously described diets, formulation of diets based on detailed chemical analyses of the natural foods, or whole carcass analysis of the insects being studied.
