A potential rearing method to optimize survival and reproduction of Neoleucinodes elegantalis (Guen., 1854) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae)

Abstract

The aim of this study was to develop a simple and efficient laboratory rearing method for Neoleucinodes elegantalis (Guen., 1854) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae). To this end, seven bioassays were performed to evaluate the survival and reproductive characteristics of N. elegantalis for rearing populations in the laboratory with artificial and natural fruits. Neoleucinodes elegantalis was affected by the size and color of artificial fruits and the number of couples per cage. It was found that larvae fed with natural fruits of Solanum gilo had a greater survival rate and larval and pupal duration. Pupal survival rate did not differ between treatments. However, pupae of larvae fed S. gilo and S. melongena had the highest weights in both males and females. The highest percentage of fully formed adults was observed in the S. gilo treatment. The sex ratio did not differ between treatments, and the increase in larvae per fruit decreased larval survival, which was not observed in pupae. The results obtained in this study are significant because they reveal biological, ecological, and behavioral aspects of N. elengantalis and contribute to the expansion of techniques for mass rearing of this insect pest in the laboratory, which is essential for several other entomological studies.

Keywords

• Rearing method
• insect biology
• small tomato borer
• Solanaceae
• tomatoes