Nutrition of the Boll Weevil Larva1

Abstract

Dietary requirements of the boll weevil, Anthonomus grandis Boheman, larva reared on a purified casein diet are reported. Compounds of myo-inositol are just as effective in promoting growth as free inositol. Choline is needed and cannot be replaced by betaine, carnitine, or ethanolamine. Dietary fat improves development of the larvae and permits more larvae to become adults. Sterols are indispensable for growth; cholesterol, stigmasterol, and sitosterol can all be used. Six B-vitamins found to be needed in casein diets are pantothenic acid, thiamine, riboflavin, pyridoxine, niacinamide, and folic acid. Biotin was not required. In the tests performed, antimetabolites of thiamine, biotin, and pantothenic acid did not interfere with growth. Sodium alginate, used in previous diets as a stabilizer, was found to inhibit growth.