The effect of an artificial adult diet on the reproductive performance of the West Indian sweetpotato weevil Euscepes postfasciatus

Abstract

The West Indian sweetpotato weevil Euscepes postfasciatus (Fairmaire) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) is a major pest of the sweet potato Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam (Solanales: Convolvulaceae) in some countries. To improve mass rearing systems involved in an eradication program employing the sterile insect technique (SIT), we examined the effect of an artificial adult diet on the reproductive performance of both male and female E. postfasciatus. The artificial diet had a negative effect on female fecundity but no effect on male mating ability. Our results suggest that the artificial diet should be improved to prevent adverse effects on female fecundity.