过路黄自然三倍体的发现

过路黄为报春花科的多年生匍匐草本植物,是有名的中药材,也是十分优质的园林地被植物。该文报道了过路黄的自然三倍体,以期为过路黄的开发利用提供新的参考资料。该研究先将湖北省武汉狮子山和黄石月亮山的过路黄居群引种至同一实验地进行栽培,然后观测其植株形态和叶片气孔大小,并利用常规压片法进行细胞染色体的计数与核型分析。结果表明:源自黄石月亮山的过路黄的叶片长度、叶片宽度、叶片面积、花瓣长度、花瓣宽度、花瓣面积及叶背气孔面积均显著高于源自武汉狮子山的过路黄;黄石月亮山的过路黄核型公式为3n=36=3m+3sm+6st+24t,与武汉狮子山的过路黄核型2n=24=2m+2sm+4st+16t不同。基于上述形态与核型数据,该文认为黄石月亮山的过路黄居群为自然三倍体。过路黄自然三倍体的发现丰富了过路黄的多倍体资料,不仅能为过路黄的遗传多样性及进化研究提供参考,还能为过路黄的药用、园林应用及其新品种的培育提供优良材料。     

Genetic Diversity and Structure in Fragmented Populations of the Tropical Orchid Myrmecophila christinae var christinae1

In recent years the coastal dune vegetation of the state of Yucatan, Mexico has become highly fragmented due to clearing for development. We evaluated patterns of genetic differentiation and genetic variability among orchid populations (Myrmecophila christinae var christinae) in eight habitat fragments along a west‐to‐east disturbance gradient in which sites located on the western end began experiencing fragmentation earlier than those in the east. Leaf samples from adult individuals and juvenile plants were collected from all eight populations, and analyzed using starch‐gel electrophoresis in a lithium buffer system. Per population estimates of genetic diversity, proportion of polymorphic loci at 95 percent, mean number of alleles per locus, allelic richness, and population structure were calculated, as well as estimate comparisons between generations. Genetic diversity at the loci analyzed did not show significant differences among the eight populations. Based on the results, the model of isolation by distance does not fit the M. christinae populations under study; in some cases, populations close to one another apparently experienced very little genetic exchange. Thus, we propose that so far, fragmentation has not led to significant genetic differences between populations subject to different historical backgrounds of disturbance (i.e., time since onset of disturbance), as well as between generations within each of the M. christinae study populations. Nevertheless, the genetic characteristics of some remnant populations might change over time due to a future decrease in the opportunities for genetic exchange with other populations.     

Population Status and Reproductive Success of an Endangered Epiphytic Orchid in a Fragmented Landscape

Habitat fragmentation and disturbance are two of the most significant drivers of species extinctions in plant populations. The degree of impact of fragmentation on plant populations depends on the level of specificity of plant–animal interactions, as well as on the availability of suitable sites for seedling recruitment. In this study, we describe the population density and structure, pollen limitation and reproductive success of the endangered tropical orchid Myrmecophila christinae, an epiphytic species with a specialized pollination system. We surveyed a total of 14 populations located in a fragmented landscape. Seedling density was related to habitat disturbance and host plant density; while density of juveniles was related to density of adults. Adult and total individual densities were related to habitat affectation. We also found that fragments <1 ha had significantly fewer seedlings, as well as an over‐representation of large adults. On the other hand, fruit production was higher in fragments >10 ha, and fruit set was significantly lower in highly disturbed fragments. Hand pollination experiments showed that M. christinae was pollen limited in all the studied populations, suggesting that pollen limitation is unrelated to habitat disturbance. Overall, our results suggest that fragmentation has affected key demographic features of M. christinae, including reproduction and recruitment.     

New stoneflies (Insecta: Perlida = Plecoptera) from Eocene Rovno amber,Ukraine

A new genus, Rovnocapnia gen. nov., with new species R. atra sp. nov. and R. ambita sp. nov., from the family Capniidae, and a new genus and species Palaeoleuctra acuta gen. sp. nov., from the family Leuctridae, of the suborder Nemourina (Euholognatha), are described from Late Eocene Rovno amber. Familial assignment of one additional specimen (suborder Perlina, infraorder Perlomorpha (Systelognatha)), represented by a nymphal skin, is obscure due to its incomplete preservation.     

Vector competence ofRhipicephalus sanguineus andDermacentor variabilis for American isolates ofBabesia gibsoni

To determine the identity of the tick vector of enzooticBabesia gibsoni in California, two common ixodid ticks were allowed to engorge uponB. gibsoni infected dogs. Sporozoites were observed in the salivary glands of prefed nymphalRhipicephalus sanguineus ticks that fed as larvae onB. gibsoni-infected dogs. A higher proportion (31%) of nymphal ticks that prefed on an uninfected dog for 48 hours contained sporozoites in their salivary glands than did ticks which had fed for 24 hours (13%). Sporozoites were not observed in the salivary glands of prefedR. sanguineus nymphs which were derived from the eggs of adult females that fed on an infected dog, in adults that were fed as nymph on an infected dog, or in the nymphal and adult uninfected controls.Dermacentor variabilis ticks appeared not to become infected. Although attempts to transmitB. gibsoni to susceptible, splenectomized dogs were unsuccessful,R. sanguineus would appear to be the most likely tick vector to maintain this piroplasm in California. This study was supported by grants from the Companion Animal Disease Laboratory, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis.     

Changes in Stream Primary Producer Communities Resulting from Large-Scale Catastrophic Amphibian Declines: Can Small-Scale Experiments Predict Effects of Tadpole Loss?

Global declines of amphibian populations are well documented, yet effects of these declines on freshwater ecosystem structure and function are poorly understood. Here we examine responses of algal primary producers to tadpole extirpation over differing spatial and temporal scales. We experimentally excluded tadpoles from artificial substrata within localized areas (0.25 m²) of two streams. One stream had an intact community of frogs (frog stream), and the other had recently experienced a catastrophic decline (frogless stream), leaving virtually no tadpoles. In the frog stream, there were significantly greater levels of chlorophyll a (+111%, P = 0.009), ash-free dry mass (AFDM) (+163%, P = 0.02), inorganic sediments (+114%, P = 0.001), and higher mean algal cell biovolume in tadpole exclusion treatments than in the tadpole access treatments. Correspondingly, overall AFDM-specific net primary production (NPP) increased by 38% (P = 0.001) and chlorophyll a-specific NPP increased by 29% (P = 0.001) in tadpole access treatments compared to tadpole exclusion treatments. Areal-specific NPP did not differ between treatments. There were no significant differences in chlorophyll a, AFDM, inorganic sediments, algal cell biovolume, or biomass-specific NPP between treatments in the frogless stream. Fifteen months after our experiments, a massive amphibian decline associated with a fungal pathogen occurred in the frog stream, resulting in the extirpation of over 90% of tadpoles. This extirpation was followed by significant increases in levels of chlorophyll a (269%, P = 0.001), AFDM (+220%, P < 0.001), and inorganic sediments (+140%, P = 0.001). Reach-scale NPP increased from −1587 to −810 mg DO m⁻² d⁻¹. Additionally, algal community composition shifted from a dominance of small adnate diatoms (pre-decline) to a dominance of large upright algal species (post-decline). Our experimental results, combined with algal monitoring at the reach scale, indicate that over the course of our study catastrophic amphibian losses have significant effects on stream ecosystem structure and function. Ecosystem-level impacts of tadpole extirpations were more dramatic than results from our small-scale, short-term experiments, which predicted the direction of change in response variables but underestimated the magnitude. However, the long-term stream ecosystem responses remain unknown. Author Contributions: S.C., C.M.P., M.R.W., K.R.L., and S.K. designed the study, S.C., C.M.P., R.B., M.R.W., K.R.L., and A.D.H. performed research, S.C., C.M.P., R.J.B., M.R.W., and A.D.H. analyzed data. S.C., C.M.P., and R.J.B. wrote the paper.     

Comparative Study of the Nymphal Biology of Two Coexisting Species of Mayflies (Insecta: Ephemeroptera) in a Mediterranean Stream in Southern Europe

We study the life history, nymphal feeding and secondary production of two leptophlebiid mayfly species (Habrophlebia eldae and Paraleptophlebia submarginata). They cohabit in a Mediterranean stream and present a very high niche overlap in terms of trophic resources. The life cycle was estimated using size‐frequency analysis of samples taken throughout a year. Both species have a similar but displaced period of the nymphal development. Secondary production was calculated by means of the size‐frequency method. Annual secondary production of P. submarginata is much higher than that of H. eldae (1.95 g DW m^–2 year^–1 vs. 0.17 g DW m^–2 year^–1), and presents a quite similar annual P/B ratio, but slightly higher in ^{P. submarginata} (6.97 in ^{P. submarginata} and 9.21 in ^{H. eldae}). The study of the gut contents revealed that they are mainly detritivores but, when larger they feed also on CPOM from leaves fallen in the stream. They present an almost total niche overlap in terms of food acquisition. However the previously mentioned shift in trophic resources utilization with size makes it possible that, because no similar size classes of each species are present at the same time, niche segregation exists between the two species. Though further studies are needed to confirm it, this could be the consequence of previous episodes of competition between them. (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Nymphal trophic behaviour of two Nemouridae species (Insecta,Plecoptera) in the Curone creek (northern Apennines,Italy)

Feeding habits of the Euholognathan stoneflies Nemoura hesperiae and Amphinemura sulcicollis are studied in a little stream located in northern Italy. The former fed mainly on coarse particulate organic matter (CPOM), together with detritus, while the latter fed principally on detritus and, in a lower concern, on CPOM. Thus they can be catalogued fundamentally as shredder and collector‐gatherer, respectively. Shifts in diet composition were detected in relation to size in both taxa. Probably niche overlapping does not exist despite both species having similar size and nymphal development duration, and coinciding in time. This work supports that, though functional feeding groups are very useful, they should not be inferred from related species or higher taxonomical levels. Even intra‐population differences and ontogenetic shifts should be considered in fine scale studies.     

The effect of different host plants on the reproduction and longevity of Nysius natalensis

Nysius natalensis Evans (Hemiptera: Orsillidae) is a pest of sunflower in South Africa. Adults invade sunflower fields from their weedy hosts which occur inside crop fields and on surrounding headlands. The host plant suitability for survival and reproduction as well as the effect of within‐generation host switching was studied on different wild host plants and sunflower. Life history parameters used to assess host plant suitability were F₁ adult survival, pre‐oviposition period, fecundity, and longevity. Nymphs and adults were provided with stems and seeds of five host plants, viz., Amaranthus hybridus L. (Amaranthaceae), Portulaca oleracea L. (Portulacaceae), Chenopodium album L. (Chenopodiaceae), Conyza albida Spreng. (Asteraceae), and sunflower, Helianthus annuus L. (Asteraceae). Nymphs were reared on crushed seed of the five plant species. After completion of the nymphal stage, emerging adults of each host plant group were provided with seed of a different host plant species for food. Adults did not survive long on stems only and very few eggs were laid. Seeds of the host plant species were shown to be an essential source of nutrients for N. natalensis reproduction, whereas the vegetative plant parts were unsuitable. Nymphal food and host‐plant switching between the nymphal and adult stages significantly affected the pre‐oviposition period. Nymphal and adult food source also affected female longevity. The number of eggs laid was not influenced by nymphal food, but was influenced by adult food and the switch between nymphal and adult food. The comparative attractiveness of sunflower and wild host plants for oviposition was also investigated and showed that females preferred to lay eggs on wild host plants, compared with sunflower. These results may explain why N. natalensis will lay their eggs on sunflower after weeds in the vicinity are controlled, or senesce toward the end of the growing season.     

Parasitism,host feeding and immature development of Encarsia formosa reared from Trialeurodes vaporariorum and Bemisia tabaci on Trialeurodes ricini

Encarsia formosa Gahan (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae), a thelytokous parasitoid, is an important biological control agent of whiteflies because of its outstanding reproduction and host‐feeding ability. In this study, we evaluated the parasitism, host feeding and developmental time of E. formosa populations reared on Trialeurodes vaporariorum (Westwood) (EFT) or on Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) (EFB) when different nymphal instars of the castor whitefly, Trialeurodes ricini (Misra), were offered as hosts, with an aim to understand the preference of the parasitoid on nymphal instars of T. ricini. Experiments were conducted on castor bean plants at 26 ± 2°C, 50–60% RH and 16 : 8 (L : D) photoperiod. The results showed that E. formosa successfully oviposited and fed on all nymphal instars of T. ricini. However, numbers of the first instars fed on by the E. formosa populations reared on T. vaporariorum (EFT) and B. tabaci (EFB) were significantly greater (45.9 and 31.3, respectively) than those of the second (EFT: 30.4 and EFB: 15.8), the third (EFT: 22.4 and EFB: 13.2) and the fourth nymphal instars (EFT: 6.0 and EFB: 3.8). The number of T. ricini nymphs parasitized by E. formosa varied significantly among different instars, and the parasitism rates on the first instar (EFT: 15.2; EFB: 7.7) and fourth instar (EFT: 19.3; EFB: 4.9) were greater than those on the second and third instars. Encarsia formosa reared on T. vaporariorum had a significantly higher host feeding and ovipositing potential on T. ricini than EFB. When parasitizing the fourth instar nymphs, E. formosa completed development in a significantly shorter time (12.9 day) than when ovipositing in other instars (17.8–19.1 day). These results showed that EFT had a better host adaption than EFB. The information from this study should be useful for us to better understand the performance and nymphal preference of E. formosa from T. vaporariorum and B. tabaci when they parasitized and fed on T. ricini, and the interactions of parasitoids with different host whitefly species.     

Passerine Pollination of Rhodoleia championii (Hamamelidaceae) in Subtropical China

The pollination ecology and breeding system of the Hamamelidaceae tree species Rhodoleia championii were studied in an evergreen broad-leaved forest in Nankunshan National Forest in Guangdong Province in China. Rhodoleia championii produces lipid-rich pollen grains and dilute nectar (averaging 0.7 mL/d and 9% sugar), with nectar production peaking before 0800 h; the species is self-incompatible and does not set seed asexually. Seven species of nectar-foraging birds visited the inflorescences, with the most common visitors being Japanese white-eyes (Zosterops japonicus, Zosteropidae) and fork-tailed sunbirds (Aethopyga christinae, Nectariniidae). Bumblebees and honeybees played limited roles as pollinators. As documented by fossils from Europe, the Rhodoleia stem lineage dates back at least to the Paleocene. Bird pollination, however, is unlikely to have evolved before the Oligocene when sunbirds arrived in Europe, and pollination by Z. japonicus cannot be much older than 250,000 million years ago, when Z. japonicus diverged from its closest relative.     

Experimental infection of the rabbit tick,<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Haemaphysalis leporispalustris</Emphasis>, with the bacterium<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Rickettsia rickettsii</Emphasis>, and comparative biology of infected and uninfected tick lineages

The present study consisted of two experiments that evaluated experimental infections of Haemaphysalis leporispalustris ticks by a Brazilian strain of Rickettsia rickettsii, and their effect on tick biology. In experiment I, ticks were exposed to R. rickettsii during the larval, nymphal or adult stages by feeding on rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) needle-inoculated with R. rickettsii, and thereafter reared on uninfected rabbits for the entire next tick generation. Regardless of the tick stage that acquired the infection, all subsequent tick stages were shown to be infected by PCR (infection rates varying from 1.3 to 41.7%), and were able to transmit R. rickettsii to uninfected rabbits, as demonstrated by rabbit seroconversion, guinea pig inoculation with rabbit blood, and PCR on rabbit blood. In Experiment II, ticks were exposed to R. rickettsii during the larval stage by feeding on rabbits co-infested with R. rickettsii-infected adult ticks, and thereafter reared on uninfected rabbits until the next generation of larvae. Again, all subsequent tick stages were shown to be infected by PCR (infection rates varying from 3.0 to 40.0%), and were able to transmit R. rickettsii to uninfected rabbits. Thus, it was demonstrated that larvae, nymphs, and adults of H. leporispalustris were able to acquire and maintain the R. rickettsii infection by transstadial and transovarial transmissions within the tick population, with active transmission of the bacterium to susceptible rabbits by all parasitic stages. Analyses of biological parameters of uninfected and R. rickettsii-infected tick lineages were performed in order to evaluate possible deleterious effects of R. rickettsii to the infected tick lineages. Surprisingly, all but one of the four R. rickettsii-experimental groups of the present study showed overall better biological performance than their sibling uninfected control ticks. Results of the present study showed that H. leporispalustris could support infection by a high virulent strain of R. rickettsii for at least two generations, in which infected tick lineages tended to have better performance than uninfected ticks. Our results support a possible role of H. leporispalustris in the enzootic maintenance of R. rickettsii in Latin America, as previously suggested by earlier works.     

Life History of a Population of Protonemura intricata (Ris, 1902) (Insecta,Plecoptera) in a Constant Temperature Stream in Central Europe

The nymphal biology (life cycle, secondary production and feeding) of a population of Protonemura intricata was studied in a calcareous stream with almost constant temperature (7–8 °C) through the year at Prosiek valley (Chočské Vrchy Mts., West Carpathians, Slovakia). The results were compared with those previously known for this species in other areas. According to our data, the species has a complicated life cycle consisting of two cohorts with different duration (probably a cohort splitting). This life cycle seems to be uncommon among the Plecoptera, which usually has simple univoltine or semivoltine life cycles, and could be probably attributed to the constant temperature regime similar to that of tropical environments. One factor, the photoperiod length, was positively correlated with monthly growth rates. The nymphal growth varied throughout the year, but the highest growth was in late spring and summer, and the lowest was in winter. The annual secondary production was very high (909.4 mg · m^–2) despite not being the most frequent taxon in the stream. The highest monthly production values were observed in the autumnal‐winter period (November–December) due to massive hatching of nymphs. The lowest production values were observed in late summer and early autumn. Analyses of gut contents showed that this species behaves mainly as gatherer‐collector, but also as shredder and, occasionally, as scraper. Changes in the gut content composition were detected in relation to the size. Comparing our results with those of the literature, it can be inferred that different populations of P. intricata can show notable differences in their life history when inhabiting places with different thermal conditions. (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

THE VIRULENCE CHANGE AND DAMAGE CHARACTERISTICS OF VARIOUS GEOGRAPHIC POPULATIONS OF BROWN PLANTHOPPER*

Abstract The virulence change and damage characteristics of brown planthopper (BPH), Nilaparvata lugens Stal, populations collected from Guangxi, Yunnan and Zhejiang Provinces were studied by using various resistant rice varieties. The results indicated that the Zhejiang population could successfully infest varieties IR26 and Mudgo, showing the characters of BPH biotype 2 after 1989. The Guangxi population, however, could adapt the resistant varieties IR26, Mudgo and ASD7 after 1991. In 1997, the nymphal survival indices of Guangxi and Yunnan populations on Rathu Heenati (Bph3) were up to 70. 9 and 66. 7 respectively. This may imply that the BPH populations in Guangxi and Yunnan have shifted into a new biotype. In free-choice test, there was obvious difference in the feeding preference of nymphs and adults of Zhejiang population, the adult preferred to feeding on resistant variety IR26 and the nymphs chose the hosts randomly. Under 26 C and L12: D12, the nymphal duration of Zhejiang population was the longest in the three tested populations. For Guangxi population, the nymphal duration on ASD7 was significantly longer than on TN1, although it could infest resistant variety ASD7. The nymphal survival rate of Zhejiang population fed on IR26 was higher than those fed on TN1 and ASD7. On varieties IR26 and ASD7, an obviously higher nymphal survival rate was observed in Yunnan population as compared to those of Zhejiang and Guangxi populations. These results indicate that difference in virulence and damage characteristics could be found in different geographical populations of BPH.     

Survival and fecundity of Dichroplus maculipennis and Ronderosia bergi (Orthoptera: Acrididae: Melanoplinae) following infection by Beauveria bassiana (Ascomycota: Hypocreales) under laboratory conditions

This study examined the effects of strain Beauveria bassiana (LPSC 1067) on nymphal development time, fecundity and adult survival in Dichroplus maculipennis and Ronderosia bergi under laboratory conditions. It was observed that infection with 1×10³ conidia/ml altered nymphal development time, fecundity and adult survival in both species. Mortality of D. maculipennis during third through the last instar (sixth) was significantly higher among treated nymphs (66±3.8%) than in controls (15±1.7%). Similarly, mortality in R. bergi during third through the last instar (fifth) was higher in treated nymphs (71±2.8%) than in controls (19±1.5%). Nymphal development times of both infected D. maculipennis and R. bergi were longer than controls. On the other hand, among survivors of both the species, control adults lived longer than infected adults. Finally, control grasshoppers of both species were much more successful reproductively than infected grasshoppers.     

Effects of the susceptibility of rice varieties to Sogatella furcifera on nymphal development and reproduction of Microvelia horvathi through a food chain

The effects of four rice varieties highly susceptible （ Xiang-Zao-Xian31 and Jia-Yu 164 ）, moderately susceptible （ Wei-You402 ）, and resistant （ Zhu-Liang-You02 ） to the whitebacked planthopper Sogatellafurcifera on the nymphal development, reproduc- tion and survival of Microvelia horoathi were investigated through a food chain using SogateUafurcifera as herbivore prey. Significant longer nymphal developmental time were observed in the 1 st, 4th, 5th instar and whole nymphal stage of M. horvathi raised on S. furcifera fed ZLY02 and WY402 than those of the other two varieties. M. horvathi raised on S. furcifera fed resistant ZLY02 showed a significant lower survival of whole nymphal stage than those fed other three susceptible varieties. Moreover, M. horvathi raised on S. furcifera fed resistant ZLY02 had shorter female longevity and lower lifetime fecundity than those of on susceptible XZX3l. Our results suggest that the S. furcifera- resistant rice variety ZLY02 had a negative effect on the growth and development of the predator M. horvathi through a food chain.     

Life Cycles and Emergence of Ephemeroptera and Plecoptera from Myrkdalsvatn,an Oligotrophic Lake in Western Norway

Comparative data are presented on nymphal growth and adult emergence for Nemoura avicularis, N. cinerea (Plecoptera), Siphlonurus aestivalis, S. lacustris and Leptophlebia vespertina (Ephemeroptera) from lake Myrkdalsvatn, western Norway. These species are all univoltine in Myrkdalsvatn. However, they show different nymphal growth patterns and emergence periods. The timing of emergence in Plecoptera was largely determined by water temperature, and in the Ephemeroptera by changes in both water temperature and cloud cover.     

COMPARISON OF INTRASPECIFIC COMPETITION BETWEEN ERUPTIVE AND LATENT AUCHENORRHYCHA (HOMOPTERA) SPECIES ON RICE: SOGATELLA FURCIFERA (DELPHACIDAE) VERSUS RECILIA DORSALIS (DELTOCEPHALIDAE)*

Abstract A comparison of the effects of intraspecific competition between the white‐backed planthopper (WBPH) Sogatella furcifera (Horvath) and the zigzag leaihopper (ZLH) Recilia dorsalis (Motschulsky), as representatives of eruptive and latent Auchenorrhycha (Homoptera) species on rice, was carried out in the laboratory. Crowding during the nymphal stage extended the duration of development of WBPH but not of ZLH. The nymphal survival rate of WBPH, sex ratio, preoviposition period and fecundity of both species were however not affected. The brachypterous percentage of WBPH and nymphal survival of ZLH were significantly reduced under high nymphal density. Crowding during the adult stage reduced fecundity and longevity significantly of both species. Fecundity and longevity were further reduced when combined with high densities during the nymphal stage. Age‐specific life table analysis showed that the integrated effect of crowding on ZLH is stronger than on WBPH. The mechanism of eruptive and latent species' response to crowding during nymph and adult stages is not clearly expressed as a significant difference in fecundity. It is better described as the variation in the intrinsic rate of increase (r_m). Therefore the construction of an age‐specific life table is helpful, and perhaps necessary, to understand these effects. The results showed that the main ecological characteristics of ZLH, as a latent species were its longer immature period, lower total fecundity and decreased and retailed rate of oviposition, hence the lower r_m, as compared with WBPH.     

Influence of predator density,diet and living substrate on developmental fitness of Orius laevigatus

Mass rearing of Orius laevigatus on non‐insect foods could substantially increase the cost‐effectiveness of the production of this biological control agent which is largely based on the use of expensive eggs of the Mediterranean flour moth Ephestia kuehniella. In this study, the effect of substrate quality and predator density on nymphal development of O. laevigatus fed on E. kuehniella eggs, honeybee pollen or an egg yolk based artificial diet was assessed using several types of substrates as shelter materials in the rearing containers (wax paper, bean pod or no extra substrate). In general, E. kuehniella eggs proved to be a nutritionally superior food compared to pollen and artificial diet. Pollen supported nymphal development of O. laevigatus better than the artificial diet. Overall, increasing nymphal density resulted in higher mortality, which may be due in part to cannibalism. The addition of a bean pod compensated for the nutritionally suboptimal artificial, but had a negative effect when O. laevigatus was fed on pollen. The non‐insect foods tested could not adequately replace lepidopteran eggs as a food source for O. laevigatus but they may be useful as an alternative food or in a part of the rearing process.