An artificial diet for Diaprepes abbreviatus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) optimized for larval survival

Authors: Lapointe, Stephen; Niedz, Randall; Evens, Terence

Submitted to: Florida Entomologist
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/21/2009
Publication Date: 3/1/2010
Citation: Lapointe, S.L., Niedz, R.P., Evens, T.J. 2010. An artificial diet for Diaprepes abbreviatus optimized for larval survival. Florida Entomologist. 93: 56-62.

Interpretive Summary: Advances in entomology often rely on artificially reared insects for experimentation. The root weevil Diaprepes abbreviatus has been reared continuously since 1992 on an artificial diet first reported in 1982. Recently, we showed that several ingredients included in the original diet have little or no effect on insect performance. We examined the effects of varying two major ingredients (cottonseed meal and wheat germ) on weight gain and survival of larval D. abbreviatus in varying proportions along with a non-nutritive filler (cellulose). We used a geometric experiment design to evaluate the quantity and proportion of these three ingredients combined with response surface models to identify the best proportions of ingredients in terms of larval weight gain, larval survival and development rate. We conclude that cottonseed meal is the only major nutritive component, in addition to standard vitamin and salt mixes, required for a successful artificial diet for rearing larvae of D. abbreviatus to pupation.

Technical Abstract: The root weevil Diaprepes abbreviatus has been reared since 1992 on an artificial diet first reported in 1982. Recently, we have shown that several ingredients included in the original diet have little or no effect on insect performance. Here we examined the effects of varying two principal drivers (cottonseed meal and wheat germ) of weight gain and survival of larval D. abbreviatus in varying proportions along with a non-nutritive filler (cellulose). We employed a geometric design to evaluate amout and proportion combined with response surface models to identify optimal proportions for larval weight gain, larval survival and development rate. All larval responses measured lead to the conclusion that cottonseed meal is the only major nutritive component, in addition to standard vitamin and salt mixes, required for a successful artificial diet for rearing larvae of D. abbreviatus to pupation.