A meridic diet for the two-spotted spider mite Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acarina: Tetranychidae)

Bosse, T. C.; Geest, L. P. S. van der; Veerman, A.

A semi-synthetic diet was developed in the Netherlands for rearing Tetranychus urticae Koch in the laboratory. Besides known quantities of pure chemicals, such as 29 amino acids, 12 vitamins, 8 minerals, a cholesterol derivative and 2 preservatives, the diet contained wheat germ and casein. The mites fed on the diet through a membrane of stretched Parafilm surrounded by a barrier of adhesive material to prevent them from leaving the membrane.