Reuse of the larval diet in mass rearing the fig moth, Ephestia cautella (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)

A standard larval diet for rearing the fig moth, Ephestia cautella was reused after autoclaving to kill larvae or pupae remaining from its first use. Inferior pupal and adult recovery was noticed, but enrichment of the autoclaved larval diet with fresh diet gave results similar to those from the original diet. However, fecundity, fertility and longevity of adults were in some cases significantly lower than from adults that were reared on totally fresh diet.