Rearing Hydrometra martini (Heteroptera: Hydrometridae): Food and substrate effects

Hydrometra martini Kirkaldy was reared rising two food treatments (Sminthurides malmgreni [Tullberg] or Drosophila melanogaster Meigen) and two substrate treatments (filter paper or duckweed) to investigate the effects of differing food and substrate on stadium and survivorship. Food, substrate, and the interaction of food and substrate affected survivorship and stadium lengths, but effects varied among instars. To maximize laboratory survivorship, the data indicate that the more effective food was Sminthurides on a filter paper substrate and Drosophila on a duckweed substrate.