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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Mississippi State, Mississippi » Crop Science Research Laboratory » Corn Host Plant Resistance Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #407563
Research Project: Enhanced Resistance of Maize to Aspergillus flavus Infection, Aflatoxin Accumulation, and Insect Damage

Location: Corn Host Plant Resistance Research

Title: Alternative moth cage for small scale rearing of Southwestern Corn Borer

Author
item Woolfolk, Sandra
item Martin, Shelby

Submitted to: Southwestern Entomologist
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/20/2023
Publication Date: 12/14/2023
Citation: Woolfolk, S.W., Martin, S.M. 2023. Alternative moth cage for small scale rearing of Southwestern Corn Borer. Southwestern Entomologist. 48(4):1011-1014. https://doi.org/10.3958/059.048.0424.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3958/059.048.0424

Interpretive Summary: Southwestern corn borer (SWCB) is a corn pest in the southern United States. The USDA-ARS Corn Host Plant Resistance Research Unit (CHPRRU) at Mississippi State rears SWCB as part of its rearing program for laboratory and field maize resistance studies. Large cages have been used to maintain the SWCB moths and are extremely useful for maintaining large numbers of moths. These moths will produce thousands of newly hatched larvae for field research. However, after summer field studies are completed, the colonies are reduced and only a small population is needed; therefore, a large cage is less cost efficient. For cost savings, a smaller moth oviposition cage was desired. A small cage (Nano cage) is commercially available and appeared to fit our needs. The design of nano cage and the benefit for keeping small population of SWCB moths are discussed.

Technical Abstract: Southwestern corn borer (SWCB) is a pest of maize in the southern United States. The USDA-ARS Corn Host Plant Resistance Research Unit (CHPRRU) at Mississippi State rears SWCB as part of its rearing program for laboratory and field maize resistance studies. Large cages (dimension: 73.66 cm2 x 147.32 cm high) have been used to maintain the SWCB moths and are extremely useful for housing large population of moths, which is critical to generate thousands of neonates for field research. However, during off season (after summer field studies are completed), the colonies are reduced and only a small population is needed; therefore, a large cage is less cost efficient. For cost savings, a smaller moth oviposition cage was desired. A small cage (Nano cage) is commercially available and appeared to fit our needs. The design of nano cage and the benefit for keeping small population of SWCB moths are discussed.