Comparison demographic parameters of Sesamia cretica (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) on semi–artificial diet and maize

The stem borers, Sesamia spp. (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) are the most important pest insects on sugarcane and maize in Iran. Biological control using its egg parasitoid wasp, Telenomus busseolae Gahan, is the main recommended controlling method for the pest. On the other hand, mass rearing of T. busseolae is strongly depended on mass rearing of its natural hosts. This study was done to determine the effect of semi–artificial diet on demoghraphic parameters of Sesamia cretica Lederer in comparison with maize as its main natural host. Life table construction and related parameters estimation were carried out using two–sex life table analysis procedure. According to the results, there was statistically difference between estimated values of the demoghaphic parameters of S. cretica on maize and semi–artificial diets. Total developmental period of S. cretica were 51.95 and 48.8 days on maize, and semi–artificial diet, respectively. There was statistically significant difference between maize and semi–artificial diets, according to the Paired Bootstrap Test (PBT) at 5% probability level. Estimated values for intrinsic rate of increase (r), as the most important life table parameter, were 0.0672 and 0.0805d–1 on maize, and semi–artificial diet, respectively. Considering higher value of intrinsic rate of increase and lower value of mean developmental time of S. cretica on semi–artificial diet, its proper quality to meet the nutritional needs of the target species was confirmed in comparison with maize. Considering all of the results and acceptable values of the life table parameters, examined semi–artificial diet is recommended for mass rearing of S. cretica.