The biological development and quantification of Pygidicrana v-nigrum consumption was evaluated taking as prey the immature stages of Ceratitis capitata. The dermapterous insect, when ingesting C. capitata larvae, reached its nymphal period, on average, at 228 days. The lowest nymphal viability of P. v-nigrum occurred in its 1st instar when fed with larvae, reaching a value of 85%. The food provided did not influence the size of this predator in terms of sex; however, food predation by larvae provided more females. The survival of the P. v-nigrum female is greater than that of the male regardless of the food consumed. The number of eggs per oviposition of P. v-nigrum was higher when feeding on pupae. The predatory consumption of P. v-nigrum increased when fed with C. capitata larvae and pupae regardless of the nymphal and adult phases. In view of the results, it can be concluded that the biological development of the predator is not affected when provided with the larval and pupal stages of C. capitata.

Keywords: Fruticulture, Ceratitis capitata, dermapterous, biological control.