Vol. 11, Issue 7 (2022)

Author(s):
Vignesh B, Jeyarajan Nelson S, Shanmugam PS and Uma D

Abstract:
Corcyra cephalonica (Stainton) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) is a factitious host extensively used for rearing entomophages. Experiments were conducted to study the influence of vitamin rich food supplements viz., sunflower seeds and milk powder on the growth and reproduction of C. cephalonica. Larval weight, adult weight, average developmental period, moth emergence and weight of eggs were recorded to assess the diet performance. Larval weight was highest in milk powder @ 100 g / 2.5 kg supplemented diet (45.63 mg) followed by sunflower seeds @ 50 g / 2.5 kg supplemented diet ( 44.95 mg) when compared to control (41.99 mg). Similar trend was observed in the weight of the female and male moths. There was no significant variation in the developmental period of C. cephalonica in different diets. Fecundity of C. cephalonica was greatly influenced by the vitamin rich supplements. The fecundity of adults emerged from the medium with milk powder @ 100 g / 2.5 kg diet increased to 70.12 per cent when compared to control followed by 62.72 per cent increase in fecundity in case of medium with sunflower seeds @ 50 g / 2.5 kg diet. Among the vitamin rich supplements used in the maize medium, milk powder was found to be the best one for promoting the growth and reproduction of C. cephalonica.