Study on the possibility of mass rearing of Sesamia nonagrioides (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) feeding on semi-artificial diet

The stem borers, Sesamia spp. (Lepidoptera: Nocuidae) 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. Current study was conducted to determine probability of mass rearing of Sesamia nonagrioides Lefèbvre using semi-artificial diet under laboratory conditions. The effect of a semi-artificial diet on life table parameters of the mentioned species in comparison with two natural diets, maize and sugarcane was studied under laboratory conditions. 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 among estimated values of the life table parameters among examined natural and semi-artificial diets. Total developmental period of S. nonagrioides were 53.51, 39.58, and 51.88 days on maize, sugarcane, and semi-artificial diets, respectively and there was no statistically significant difference between maize and semi-artificial diets. Estimated values for intrinsic rate of increase (r), as the most important life table parameter, were 0.0579, 0.09090and 0.0700d-1 on maize, sugarcane, and semi-artificial diet, respectively. Regarding intrinsic rate of increase, by statistically placing semi-artificial diet in the second group between two natural hosts of corn and sugarcane, its proper quality to meet the nutritional needs of the target species was confirmed. Considering all of the results and acceptable values of the life table parameters, examined semi-artificial diet is recommended for mass rearing of S. nonagrioides.