Development of an Artificial Diet for RearingConogethes punctiferalis(Lepidoptera: Crambidae)

Abstract

Abstract Conogethes punctiferalis (Guenee) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) is one of the most damaging Lepidoptera, attacking fruit in the temperate and tropical regions of Asia, Australia, and Papua New Guinea. Effective methods of control will likely remain limited until further physiological and ecological studies can be conducted, many of which will require effective means of rearing of the insect in the laboratory. To that end, this study was undertaken to develop and assess four meridic diets for rearing C. punctiferalis. The four diets differed in the amounts of chestnut meal, corn meal, and soybean meal. The diet containing 30 g chestnut meal, 70 g corn meal, and 70 g soybean meal per 700-ml diet yielded a larval survival rate of 94.5%, a generation developmental time of 42.4 d, mean pupal weights of 73.6 mg for males and 77.3 mg for females, and an adult fecundity rate of 97.9 eggs/female. Performance on this diet compared favorably with rearing on fresh corn.