Development of an artificial diet for the laboratory rearing of the spotted bollworm, Earias vittella (Fabricius) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Abstract

Artificial diets were formulated and evaluated for their suitability to rear the spotted bollworm, Earias vittella , a major pest of cotton and okra. The most satisfactory diet consisted of maize semolina 11%, wheat bran 4.6%, soybean powder 2.4%, yeast 1.4%, salt mixture 0.9%, ascorbic acid 0.3 %, cellulose 0.9 %, agar 1.8%, water 76.7% and preservatives. The insect was reared on this diet for 10 generations without any adverse effect on its development and reproductive potential.