Effects of three artificial diets on biological characteristics of the carob moth, Ectomyelois ceratoniae (Lep.: Pyralidae)

Crob Moth, Ectomyelois ceratoniae is the most important pest of pomegranate in Iran. During 2001-2002, the growth period of this species was studied on three artificial, semi-artificial and natural diets in the laboratory condition, 27 ± 1°C, 75 ± 5% R.H. and photoperiod of 16: 8 (L: D) hours. The components of these diets were: 1- soybean pert 30 gr., soybean oil 5 ml., yeast 3 gr., formaldehyde 1 ml., beetroot molasses 20 ml., antioxidant 1 gr., pomegranate fruit (oven-dried) 20 gr. and water 50 ml., 2- soybean pert 30 gr., soybean oil 5 ml., yeast 3 gr., formaldehyde 1 ml., beetroot molasses 20 ml., NaCl 1 gr., FeSo4 2.5 gr., rice bran 10 gr., antioxidant 1 gr., wheat germ 10 gr. and water 50 ml., 3- soybean pert 30 gr., soybean oil 5 ml., yeast 3 gr., formaldehyde 1 ml., beetroot molasses 20 ml., antioxidant 1 gr., pomegranate fruit (freeze-dried) 20 gr. and water 50 ml., and 4- pomegranate (the natural diet of the pest used as the control treatment). The shortest period of larval, pupal and adult stages was on the diet 1, and the longest period of these stages was on the diet 2. The shortest and longest adult longevity was seen on the diets 2 and 1 respectively. The lowest and highest sex ratios were recorded for the diets 1 and 2 respectively. The larvae were successfully reared for five generations on the diet 1, which the percentage of fertile females and the number of eggs increased considerably in the fifth generation.