Effect of Different Food Sources on the Biology of Ephestia cautella Moth

Abstract

Larvae of Ephestia cautella moth were reared on five different food sources, including figs, raisins, dates, pistachio shells, in addition to an artificial diet, to investigate their impact on insect biology. The average egg incubation period was 4.63 days, with no significant differences observed among food sources. Likewise, the average egg hatch rate was 81.00%, with no significant difference among the food sources. Average larval lifespan was 35.20 days, with artificial diet exhibiting significantly the shortest larval stage period (27 days) compared to pistachio shells and raisins. Figs also outperformed pistachio shells significantly in the larval stage period. The average pupa lifespan was 10 days, with no significant difference recorded among the food sources. Similarly, the average adult lifespan was 8.265 days, with no significant difference observed among the different food sources. The average number of eggs laid per female was 101.70, with significant differences among the food sources. The highest egg laying rate was observed on artificial diet, whereas the lowest was on pistachio shells. However, no significant difference was found between artificial diet and figs, as well as among dates, figs and raisins. Significant difference was observed between artificial diet and all other food sources, as well as between pistachio shells and the rest of the food sources. The average generation time was 50 days, with the shortest period observed on artificial diet (40.50 days), surpassing raisins and pistachio shells, which recorded longer generation times of 54.50 and 60.50 days, respectively.

Keywords:

Storage pests, life cycle, Ephestia cautella, food sources, biology.