Comparative morphometric analysis: Corcyra cephalonica (Stainton, 1866) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) growth varies when fed on different diets

Corcyra cephalonica (Stainton, 1866) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) is the common factitious host for mass culturing of several natural enemies due to its ease of mass production, adaptability to a variety of rearing conditions and its beneficial impact on reared insects. Our study aimed to determine the effect of various diets on the morphometric of C. cephalonica in different life stages. Based on pooled data of both the generations, longest (0.019 and 0.014 mm) morphometric dimension of eggs measured on D 5 - Maize (48.5%) + Sorghum (48.5%) + Groundnut (3%) and D 7 - Bajra (32.33%) + Maize (32.33%) + Wheat (32.33%) + Sugar (3%) were at par in both the diets, however shortest (0.014 and 0.009 mm) on D 3 - Wheat (100%) diet. The respective values for maximum length and breadth of 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th larval, pre-pupal, pupal instars and adults female and male were (1.07 and 0.21 mm), (4.51 and 0.82 mm), (7.12 and 1.34 mm), (10.39 and 1.65 mm) and (12.98 and 2.14 mm), (9.94 and 2.51 mm), (10.32 and 2.79 mm), (10.53 and 2.46 mm) and (8.82 and 1.91 mm) on D 5 diet whereas minimum (0.86 and 0.16 mm), (3.33 and 0.55 mm), (5.41 and 0.89 mm), (8.66 and 1.28 mm) and (11.14 and 1.37 mm), (9.46 and 2.25 mm), (7.76 and 2.19 mm), (8.28 and 1.50 mm) and (7.26 and 1.44 mm) were measured on D 3 diet. From the present findings, it is concluded that D 5 was the best diet for the rearing of C. cephalonica . Therefore, it can be optimized for mass production programmes for raising a variety of biocontrol agents.