Laboratory Rearing of the Boll Weevil: A Satisfactory Larval Diet and Oviposition Studies

Abstract

Five generations of the boll weevil, Anthononus grandis Boh., were reared aseptically from egg to adult on a semisynthetic diet containing soybean protein, sucrose, corn oil, cholesterol, choline, vitamins, yeast extract, salts, cellulose, alginate, agar, and water. The adults were allowed to feed and oviposit on squares. Average egg production was three eggs per female per day, with a maximum of seven eggs. Cotton cotyledons also were found to promote oviposition of newly emerged adults. Weevils fed but did not oviposition artificial diet unless cotton plant extracts were added. Oviposition also occurred on squares without bracts and squares that had been ground, remolded, and coated with paraffin.