Aseptic Rearing of the Codling Moth on Synthetic Diets: Ascorbic Acid and Fatty Acid Requirements

Abstract

The codling moth, Carpocapsa pomonella (L.), was reared aseptically from newly hatched larvae to adults for 3 successive generations on a synthetic diet containing casein, 2 amino acids, salts, sucrose, vitamins, safflower oil, cholesterol, agar, and water. Growth and development on this diet were comparable to that attained on immature apples. Elimination of ascorbic acid from the diet resulted in 86% lanai death, mostly first and second instar, and no development to the adult stage. The minimum dietary requirement for ascorbic acid under the reported rearing conditions was between 0.4 and 0.8 g per 100g diet. Linoleic acid was shown to be an indispensable dietary nutrient; linoleic acid had the same effect as linoleic acid. Diets deficient in both fatty acids resulted in failure of adults to emerge from their pupal cases. Palmitic, stearic, oleic, and methyl arachidonic acids showed no essential fatty acid activity. Five successive generations were reared in the laboratory on a semisynthetic diet with 55-65% of the larvae developing to normal adult moths. Larval development adult fecundity, and egg viability appeared comparable to that attained for insects reared on immature apples.