Artificial Media and Rearing Techniques for the Pink Bollworm

Abstract

Pink bollworms (Pectinophora gossypiella (Saund)) were reared on two artificial media, consisting of cottonseed meal or peanut flour in combination with other constituents. A combination of antimycotic agents, n-butyl-p-hydroxybenzoate, sodium benzoate, and sorbic acid or potassium sorbate, when added to the media inhibited fungous growth for at least 10 days. The cannibalistic tendencies of the larvae were partially thwarted by furnishing a large area of medium per larva and/or segregating the larvae by subdividing the total mass of medium with or without physical barriers. Boll weevils and phorid flies were also reared on the cottonseed meal diet. Techniques for handling the eggs and larvae are described.