Evaluation of feed ingredients on growth and development of Corcyra cephalonica (Stainton)

The rice moth, Corcyra cephalonica (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), is a serious pest of stored products and is commonly used as an alternative host for the laboratory mass rearing of egg parasitoids. It is considered suitable for this purpose because of its year-round availability, short life cycle and adaptability to extreme conditions. This study evaluated cereal and legume-based diets to optimize the rearing of C. cephalonica under controlled conditions (temperature: 26 ± 2 0C, RH: 60 ± 10 %, and a photoperiod of 14: 10 h (L: D)). Feed ingredients such as milled maize, milled rice or rice bran were combined with powdered groundnut or powdered soybean to assess their suitability for mass rearing of C. cephalonica. Among the feed ingredients, rice bran mixed with powdered soybean significantly shortened developmental period (38.57 ± 0.68 days), increased the growth index by 2.51 ± 0.05, and enhanced fecundity, indicating the mix as the most suitable feed ingredient. The findings highlight the potential of C. cephalonica as a suitable surrogate host for the mass production of egg parasitoids in biological control programs in cereal, grains and horticultural pest management.