Effects of different diets on the biology of the adult stage of Mocis latipes (Guenée, 1852) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Abstract

A laboratorial trial was carried out to determine the effects of aqueous solutions of honey, saccharose, fructose and glucose at concentrations of 5, 10 and 15% as diets for adults of Mocis latipes. The test was set up in a completely randomized design, with treatments in a factorial scheme of 4 types of diets x 3 concentrations, with 3 replications. Experimental plots consisted in cilindrical plastic cages (10 x 20 cm) containning couples of adults. These insects were daily observed up to their death. Results of the analisys of variance showed that the increase of saccharose concentration caused a reduction in the pre-oviposition and oviposition periods. Rates lower than 15% of glucose reduced the periods of pre-oviposition and oviposition, longevity and number of eggs per female. The effects of fructose concentrations were inversely related to the biological parameters evaluated for the armyworm. The 5% solution of honey was considered as good for adults feeding, providing the shortest pre-oviposition period (4 days) and the longest oviposition period (10 days), resulting in a greater oviposition capability (291 eggs/female) although it did not significantly reduce the adults longevity in relation to the other tested diets.