Nutrition of the Almond Moth. I. Analysis and Improvements of the Experimental Diet12

Abstract

Cadra cautella (Walker) larvae, were reared on a modification of Fraenkel and Blewett’s diet, and the effect of the diet components on larval growth and survival was studied. Casein and sucrose in a ratio of 1:1 was a satisfactory protein-carbohyrate combination. Larval growth retardation and/or high mortality were caused when thiamin, riboflavin, pyridoxine, Ca pantothenate, folic acid, biotin, and nicotinic acid were individually omitted from the diet. No significant effect was found when p -aminobenzoic acid, choline, inositol, and vitamin B12 were individually reduced in the diet or omitted. When cholesterol was in the diet, wheat germ oil could be replaced by an unsaturated fatty acid. Without the fatty acid or wheat germ oil only a small number of larvae reached pupation, and fewer emerged. Linolenic acid was more effective than linoleic acid. The highest concentrations of esters of both acids were detrimental to larvae; linolenate was less detrimental in the lower concentrations. No pupation occurred when sterol was omitted from the diet. Fortification of the diet with K3PO4enhanced larval growth.