Development of an artificial diet for mass rearing of the spiny bollworm,Earias insulana

An artificial diet for rearing the spiny bollworm,Earias insulana (Boisd.), was developed in experiments with three successive generations. The present recommended diet is based on kidney beans, alfalfa meal, whole powdered milk and yeast; methyl-P-hydroxy benzoate, chloramphenicol and formaldehyde were included as preservatives. The effect of the diets on the insect quality is discussed.