Development and life history of Pyralis farinalis L. (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) on an artificial diet

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Abstract

A rearing procedure based on a commercially-available formulated Helicoverpa zea (Boddie) diet is described for Pyralis farinalis L. Using this procedure at 24°C and 50% r.h., mean survival from egg to adult was 38.3%, with a yield of 95.6 adults per diet unit (240-ml glass jar), and mean development time from egg to adult was 70.1 days for males and 75.8 days for females. Mean generation time (egg to egg) for 61 generations averaged 65.4 days using early emerging adults at 24°C in the laboratory. Mean weights were 22.8 mg for males, 48.3 mg for females and 40.5 μg for eggs. In individual pairings with males, females each laid a mean of 305.8 eggs, with 81.3% egg hatch, and an egg incubation period of about 9 days. Most eggs were laid during days 2–5 (66.4%) and females survived an average of 9.8 days (10.2 for males). In multiple-moth mating containers (70 moths/container) used for colony production, average egg production was 235 eggs per female. Larval instars were classified based on head capsule measurements using larval exuviae to determine the number and sizes of larval instars.

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  • This article reports the results of research only. Mention of a proprietary product does not constitute an endorsement or a recommendation for its use by USDA.

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