Feeding and Oviposition by the Boll Weevil on Artificial Diets

Abstract

Artificial diets are described for the adult boll weevil (Anthonomus grandis Boh.). Basal diets contained an enzymatic liydrolyzate of casein, glucose, corn oil, cholesterol, Wesson's salts, choline, ascorbic acid, B vitamins, water, and agar. Mixed pollen in amounts of 0.1 to 5 grams per 100 grams of the basal diet stimulated feeding and oviposition. Five generations of weevils were obtained on artificial diets without cotton-plant parts by rearing from egg to adult on a soybean protein diet and allowing the adults to feed and oviposit on a diet containing mixed pollen. Oviposition occurred when pollens from different families of plants were used. The only substance other than pollen that appreciably stimulated oviposition was wlieat germ. A basal diet containing homogenates of heated cottonplant parts, squares, flowers, germinated cottonseed, and young green seedlings also caused weevils to feed and oviposit. Tests with modifications of the basal diets are described. Substances that repelled the boll weevil when included in the basal diets were alfalfa meal, forage juice, distiller's dried solubles, yeast extract, and beef extract.