Abstract
A survey of published nutritional data of ingredients currently used in larval diet for the fruit fly Bactrocera latifrons (Hendel) indicated low levels of ascorbic acid in the artificial diet in comparison to a preferred host (bell pepper, Capsicum annuum L.). Incorporation of various amounts of green bell pepper (fresh or dehydrated powder) into larval diet significantly affected larval development by increasing pupal recovery up to 21%, adult emergence up to 17.5%, and the overall growth index. Pupal weight remained similar to that of a control diet. An optimal amount of ascorbic acid phosphate (5 mg/g diet) in the diet also improved development, especially in terms of pupal recovery and adult emergence. Addition of ascorbic acid phosphate (>15 mg/g of diet) produced detrimental effects (lengthened the larval period, decreased the pupal recovery, reduced pupal weight and overall growth index). Substituting bell pepper for carrot powder in the standard B. latifrons larval diet or supplementing the standard diet with ascorbic acid phosphate would be beneficial for mass rearing of B. latifrons.
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