A Technique for Rearing the Limabean Pod Borer, Etiella zinckenella TREITSHKE (Lepidoptera : Pyralidae) in Large Scale

Abstract

Rearing of the limabean pod borer, Etiella zinckenella, in large scale has been practically impossible without a technique to reduce cannibalism. This problem was resolved by isolating larvae on a diet with a multicellular unit. The rearing procedure is as follows : Newly hatched larvae were placed on the roughened surface of diet in each cell of the unit. The top of the multicellular unit was covered with rough papers and pressed with a magazine. The tray was then closed with a lid, its windows covered with net, and placed in darkness for three days. Afterwards, it was transferred to a constant temperature cabinet at 25°C under a 16-photoperiod. Ten days after trhe larval infestation, the magazine was removed. During the period from 12 to 16 days after infestation, the mature larvae were transferred daily to a plastic pot (9.5 cm diam.) with nonabsorbent cotton. After 20 days, pupae were collected from the cotton. By this xethod, 51.5% of the larvae introduced into the tray were recovered as moths. Eggs were collected by providing the cage in which the moths were released with a soybean twig covered with cheesecloth as an oviposition site.