Abstract
The ubiquitous generalist predator Andrallus spinidens (F.) is found in North Iran, which is dominantly cultivated with rice plants. Live and frozen larvae of Galleria mellonella L. and Ephestia kuehniella Zeller were offered to A. spinidens in order to assess their effects on reproductive performance. Predators consuming either live or frozen larvae of G. mellonella developed and weighed similarly, but those fed on live or frozen larvae of E. kuehniella had significantly different developmental times and body weights. Predators feeding on live larvae of E. kuehniella weighed more than those fed on corresponding frozen prey. The fecundity and longevity of the predator were affected neither by prey species nor by prey freezing; nevertheless, egg hatchability was mainly affected by prey freezing. Generally, the use of frozen larvae can be recommended when live prey are scarce.
