The insects collected were brought to the laboratory, where 50
adults were placed per glass container (2 L). Each recipient contained
strips of paper towel, which served as a place of shelter;
B. pilosa stems as substrate for oviposition and UV sterilized
Anagasta kuehniella (Zeller, 1879) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) eggs as
a food source, offered every 48 h. These containers were covered
with plastic lid with a central hole fixed with a fine mesh net, to
allow ventilation. The B. pilosa stems containing eggs of the
predator were changed every 48 h and kept in Petri dishes
(20 cm diameter) which were covered with perforated polyvinylchloride film (PVC film). In these Petri dishes were placed moistened
cotton wicks, strips of paper towel and eggs of A. kuehniella
until nymphs reach adulthood. The adults were collected and
transferred to glass containers for continuity of rearing (Bueno,
2009).