A Simple Artificial Diet for Mass Rearing of the Armyworm, Leucania separata WALKER (Lepidoptera : Noctuidae)

抄録

A simple artificial diet for the mass rearing of Leucania separata has been devised. The diet, composed of wheat bran, corn powder, driet yeast, ascorbic acid, linseed oil, agar, water and three mould inhibitors, satisfactorily supports the development of L. separata and L. loreyi.The larval development of L. separata on the artificial diet did not differ from that reared on some graminaceous food plants. The weight of pupae reared on the artificial diet was heavier than that reared on the food plants. The ensuing adults laid as many eggs as did those emerged from larvae reared on the food plants.Sorbic acid added to the artificial diet as a mould inhibitor caused pupal deformity.The rate of emergence from larvae reared on the diet containing sorbic acid fell remarkably in L. separata, but none of the adverse effects of sorbic acid on pupation and emergence were observed in L. loreyi.