The suitability of dried fruits, almonds and carobs for the development of Ephestia figulilella Gregson, E. calidella (Guenee) and E. cautella (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Phycitidae)

Abstract

Abstract In experiments at 30°C, 70% r.h. and a light regime of 16 hr light/8 hr dark 30 freshly-hatched larvae were placed singly on ripe carob pods obtained direct from Cyprus, and almonds, dates and raisins bought from a shop. The raisins had been treated commercially with paraffin oil prior to export. All 3 species thrived on ground carobs and dates. Between 17 and 26 individuals of each of these species completed development and emerged as adults on these foods. The particle size of carobs had a considerable influence, for only 13 E. calidella and 8 of each of E. figulilella and E. cautella completed development on carob pieces. Only 1 adult of E. calidella was bred from almonds, and 2 from raisins; 9 adults of E. figulilella were bred from almonds, and 16 from raisins, whilst E. cautella gave 17 adults on almonds and 3 adults on raisins. The shortest mean developmental period for E. figulilella was 34 days on ground carobs, for E. calidella it was 37 days on carob pieces and for E. cautella 35 days on almonds. The longest mean developmental periods were 56 days for E. figulilella and 59 days for E. calidella, both on almonds, and 84 days for E. cautella on raisins. The significance of these laboratory results in relation to field and warehouse observations is discussed.