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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Tifton, Georgia » Crop Protection and Management Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #142257
Title: EXTRACTION OF CODLING MOTH PUPAE FROM DIET TO FACILITATE HANDLING, SHIPMENT AND IRRADIATION OF INSECTS

Author
item CARPENTER, JAMES
item BLOEM, S - USDA-APHIS-NBCI
item BLOEM, K - USDA-APHIS-NBCI

Submitted to: IAEA-FAO Research Coordination Meeting for CRP
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/19/2002
Publication Date: 1/1/2003
Citation: Carpenter, J.E., Bloem, S., Bloem, K. 2003. Extraction of codling moth pupae from diet to facilitate handling, shipment and irradiation of insects. In: Proceedings of the First Research Co-ordination Meeting, FAO/IAEA Coordinated Research Programme, "Improvement of Codling Moth SIT to Facilitate Expansion of Field Application," August 19-23, 2002, Kelowna, BC, Canada. p. 49-51.

Interpretive Summary: Mass-reared insects to be used in a sterile technique program often are shipped in the pupal stage. However, pupae of moth species spin silk cocoons that can obstruct the collection of the pupae for handling or shipment. We are developing cost effective methodologies to extract pupae from the cocoons and the diet, and develop appropriate shipping, emergence and irradiation technologies for the pupae. In addition, we will conduct evaluations of insect quality to insure that additional handling of the diet and pupae does not compromise moth quality and competitiveness. Studies will be initiated on codling moth pupae. Initial tests will use re-hydration of the diet followed by agitation, sieving and water pressure to release the codling moth pupae. Additionally, we will explore the use of a variety of de-silking agents to separate pupae from cocoons. Parallel studies will include examining the effect of water submersion on adult emergence and insect quality. Eventually we plan to expand our experiments to include other moth pests such as the diamondback moth and the cactus moth.

Technical Abstract: The agar-free diet developed for the codling moth Okanagan-Kootenay Sterile Insect Release (OKSIR) Program in British Columbia is economical and allows for the collection of adult moths with minimal labor input. While this diet and collection system have proven to be very efficient for the OKSIR Program in B.C. it does not permit the collection of pupae with ease and, as such, has precluded the shipment and potential sale of large quantities of codling moth pupae to laboratories or programs in distant locations. To facilitate the expanded use of the OKSIR facility, potentially provide a source of revenue to the OKSIR Program, and support other SIT Programs for codling moth, we propose to develop cost effective methodologies to extract the pupae from the diet and develop appropriate shipping, emergence and irradiation technologies for the pupae. Simultaneously, we will conduct evaluations of insect quality to insure that additional handling of the diet and pupae does not compromise codling moth quality. Studies will be initiated to extract pupae from the sawdust-based diet. At the stage where pupae can be found in the diet trays, the diet has dried and become quite rigid. Initial tests will use re-hydration of the diet followed by agitation, sieving and water pressure to release the codling moth pupae. Additionally, we will explore the use of a variety of de-silking agents to separate pupae from cocoons. Parallel studies will include examining the effect of water submersion on adult emergence and insect quality.