Alternative Prey and Artificial Diet of the Multicolored Asian Lady Beetle Harmonia axyridis: A Review

As an important natural enemy insect, <i>Harmonia axyridis</i> has significant biological control effects on a variety of pests such as aphids in agroforestry ecosystems. The large-scale application of <i>H. axyridis</i> has long been limited by the unstable supply of natural prey, poor rearing of alternative prey and artificial diets, and high costs. In this paper, we review the research progress on the effects of alternative prey and artificial diets, and present the results and shortcomings of <i>H. axyridis</i> rearing. Focusing on the nutritional requirements of <i>H. axyridis</i> and the nutrient composition of natural prey, the paper aims to analyze and optimize the core components of artificial diets, develop diet formulations that are highly efficient, low-cost, support the ladybird throughout its complete life cycle, and identify the key factors for breaking the bottleneck of large-scale reproduction of <i>H. axyridis</i>, with a view to facilitate the industrialization of <i>H. axyridis</i>, enhancing the efficacy of biocontrol, and providing references to the development of diets for other natural enemy insects.