Rearing of the box tree pyralid, Glyphodes perspectalis, larvae using an artificial diet

Abstract

Larvae of Glyphodes perspectalis were reared successfully on an artificial diet consisting of dried powder produced from box tree, Buxus microphylla, leaves and INSECTA F-II (Nihon Nosan Co., Ltd) at a ratio of 30: 70. This artificial diet supported larval growth with a pupation rate of approximately 70%. This rate was comparable to that on conventional rearing using fresh host plant leaves. No significant difference in the larval period, pupal period, pupal weight, pupation rate, and emergence rate was noted between the two groups. The number of eggs laid by the resultant adult females, the preoviposition period, and the hatchability of eggs were also similar regardless of the diet; however, no larvae reached the pupal stage when they were given INSECTA F-II alone. Utilization of the artificial diet facilitates the stable rearing of G. perspectalis throughout the year.