Vol. 10, Special Issue 12 (2021)

Author(s):
Gitanjali Devi

Abstract:
Many insects can be reared in artificial diet for experimental purpose under laboratory condition. Composition of the diet, easy availability, cost and feeding behavior of the insect are important consideration for rearing of the insect. The larvae of greater wax moth, Galleria mellonella (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) are pests of honey bee colony and can cause significant damage to stored beekeeping industry. Despite the importance of wax moths to the apicultural industry, they are investigated considerably more as a model organism for studies in biology, behaviour, ecology, molecular biology, physiology, and control. Galleria mellonella are good host of many entomopathogens including entomopathogenic nematodes. Due to high susceptibility of the larvae of Galleria mellonella to entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs), they are selected as suitable host for EPNs research. Effective artificial diets are pivotal in G.mellonella rearing purposes by decreasing production costs and enhancing the overall quality and fitness of the insect. Research work contributes to make mass rearing of G.mellonella less expensive with no adverse effects on quality and quantity of produced larvae as well as their suitability for baiting, rearing or mass multiplication of entomopathogenic nematodes.. This review attempts to compare different studies on composition of diet which has a significant effect on the wax moth larvae as well as production of entomopathogenic nematode and forwarded towards revitalization of research on various aspects of biological science.