Artificial diet for laboratory rearing of Condylorrhiza vestigialis (Guenée, 1854) (Lep.: Crambidae)

Lucas S Campos,Aloisio Coelho Jr,José Roberto P Parra

doi:10.1590/0001-3765201720160135

Lucas S Campos, Aloisio Coelho Jr + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1590/0001-3765201720160135

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Abstract

The Brazilian Poplar Moth, Condylorrhiza vestigialis (Guenée), compromises the wood productivity of poplar trees (Populus sp.), mainly affecting the matchstick industry in southern Brazil. Considering the lack of information on rearing techniques for this insect, the objective of this study was to develop an artificial diet to rear C. vestigialis with biological characteristics similar to the wild insects. A properly diet will enable bio-ecological studies and biological control programs using the baculovirus Condylorrhiza vestigialis multiple nucleopolyhedrovirus (CvMNPV). To attain this objective, first, three artificial diets were tested. Only the diet based on corn, wheat germ and yeast as a protein source (Diet 3) was able to supply the nutritional requirements of the moth and support completion of its life cycle. In the second experiment, Diet 3 was compared to the natural diet of C. vestigialis. The artificial diet supported a viability of 81% of the eggs, while only 40% developed on the natural diet. Life-table data showed the same pattern: the net reproductive rate (Ro) of C. vestigialis reared on the artificial diet was 401.70, and on the natural diet was 151.22. The artificial diet is adequate for mass rearing of C. vestigialis, to support biological control programs using the baculovirus.

Highlights

Poplar trees, Populus spp. (Salicales: Salicaceae), are widely distributed in the Northern Hemisphere, from the tropics to 68° N latitude
Considering the sparse information about a specific artificial diet for rearing C. vestigialis, the present study aimed to develop an artificial diet for rearing a population with biological characteristics similar to the wild insects, compared to the natural food of the larvae
Three artificial diets with different sources of protein were assessed (Table I), termed Diet 1, Diet 2 prepared with modifications of the diet proposed by Singh (1983), since this diet is used for different orders of insects; and Diet 3 proposed by Parra and Mihsfeldt (1992) for Diatraea saccharalis Fabricius (Lepidoptera: Crambidae)

Summary

Introduction

Populus spp. (Salicales: Salicaceae), are widely distributed in the Northern Hemisphere, from the tropics to 68° N latitude. (Salicales: Salicaceae), are widely distributed in the Northern Hemisphere, from the tropics to 68° N latitude. These trees are generally short-lived due to the incidence of insects and diseases, their rapid growth often enables them to reach large sizes (Dickmann 2001). The largest losses of productivity in poplars are caused mainly by the attack of the defoliating larva Condylorrhiza vestigialis (Guenée, 1854) (Lep.: Crambidae), known as the Brazilian Poplar Moth, which compromises productivity (Diodato 1999). Among the few available methods to control C. vestigialis is the baculovirus Condylorrhiza vestigialis multiple nucleopolyhedrovirus (CvMNPV), a highly specific and effective control for this pest (Castro et al 2003).

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