Rearing larvae of the swift moth, Endoclita excrescens (butler) (lepidoptera: Hepialidae), on an artificial diet

Abstract

Larvae of the swift moth Endoclita excrescens (Butler) were reared on a commercial silkworm diet for 220 days under a long (LDT ; 16 : 8 h light/dark) or short (SDT ; 10 : 14 h light/dark) photoperiod at 25°C. Larvae pupated at a higher rate under LDT (37.6%) than under SDT (13.6%). Both males and females pupated under LDT, while only male pupae were observed under SDT. The emergence rate was higher under LDT (25.6%) than under SDT (12.8%). The mean duration of the larval period of males and females under LDT and males under SDT was 158.6, 159.7, and 151.6 days, respectively. The mean duration of the pupal stage of males and females under LDT and males under SDT was 23.9, 22.6, and 22.5 days, respectively. These results indicate that pupating is related to photoperiod and that E. excrescens larvae can be reared on a silkworm diet at 25°C under a photoperiod of 16 : 8 h of light/dark to obtain a high pupating rate.