Natural and artificial diets to raise Grapholita molesta (Busck, 1916) (Lepidoptera: Olethreutidae)

Abstract

The oriental fruit moth (Grapholita molesta (Busck, 1916) was raised with artificial diets (Ivaldi-Sender, 1974; Ivaldi-Sender 1974 + 1% of Wesson salts; Ivaldi-Sender 1974 + 0,5% Wesson salts; Guennelon et al., 1981 without formaldeide; Guennelon et al., 1981 without formaldeide + 5% smashed apple) and upon green apples and quinces. The insects were maintained in laboratory at 26 ± 1°C, RH for 75 ± 10% and with 16 hours of light., The artificial diets were placed in tubes with 4,0 ± 0,5 g in each one where one to two larvae were developed. The fruits were placed in transparent plastic cups with 50 ml capacity, maintaining one to two larvae per fruit. Females obtained from Ivaldi-Sender and green apple or quince presented the highest fecundity. The highest egg viability was obtained when the insects were raised on fruits and in the artifitial diet Ivaldi-Sender, 1974 ± 1,0% of Wesson salts. The duration of the larvae phase was shorter on fruits and with the diet Guennelon + 5% of dry smashed apple. Individual raised larvae presented the highest larvae and pupal viability.