Rearing of Chilo partellus (Swinhoe) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) on artificial diet and its use in resistance screening

Abstract

Chilo partellus is considered to be among the most damaging pests of sorghum crop throughout the world. Insects are reared in the laboratory on artificial diets for various purposes, namely for biological control, host and non‐host plant resistance and development of new artificial diets. The growth and development of Sorghum bicolor, C. partellus (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) on six host plants and non host plants (five plant gum extracts and six tuber extracts PIs) was compared in the laboratory. Insect larval growth was significantly faster on 30% casein with 70% Zea mays in artificial diet. There was a significant variation in larval mortality, malformed pupae andpupal weights. 80% larval mortality was observed in Acacia leucophloea PIs containing diet, and 70 and 60% larval mortality in Ipomoea batatas and Mangifera indica PI‐containing diet fed, respectively.