Abstract

Malaysian fruit fly, Dacus latifrons (Hendel), has been reared on artificial diet for the first time. A carrot and a wheat larval diet were used. Larval recovery for both diets was >50%. Fastest development, highest fecundity, and highest fertility were obtained with the wheat diet. Although reproductive parameters for the wheat diet were less than those for a preferred natural larval host, pepper, Capsicum annuum L. variety jalapeño, scarcity of quality peppers in markets favors use of a wheat artificial diet for mass production of D. latifrons. Results are discussed in relation to mass production of insects for attractants/screening and sterile insect release method (SIRM) programs.

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