The presented study aimed to follow the biology of the angoumois grain moth, Sitotroga
cerealella (Olivier) after rearing on wheat grains in two rearing units (classical and new ) in order to
verify which is better for mass – production of Sitotroga eggs used , subsequently for mass -
production of Trichogramma to be used in insect pests control. The new unit may be considered a
new idea for improving the mass-production of Sitotroga eggs. The ovipositional period and the
larval, pre- pupal and pupal periods of Sitotroga cerealella lasted (3.60±0.24& 3.40±0.40), (17.4±0.17
& 17.4±0.22), (3.40±0.24 & 3.80±0.20) and (5.20±0.20 & 5.00±0.00) days for eggs and subsequent
immature stages from the classical and new units, respectively. Hatching percentages among
Sitotroga cerealella eggs were 95.57±0.61 and 96.55±0.62, respectively being nonsignificntly,
different. Concerning the ovipositional periods, durations of life stages and hatching percentages
among the obtained eggs, those also varied nonsignificantly. From another point of view, the new unit
had many advantages than the classical one, such as; a - easier handling with the wheat grains used for
mass- rearing and Sitotroga eggs added to these grains, b - durability of the new unit than the old one
making it less expensive ., c - easier to be manufactured from different metals. and d – saving time in
applying the steps of mass production of Sitotroga eggs , so saving time and effort; e - The number of
eggs for females from the new rearing unit was, significantly higher; 307.00 opposed to 257.40
eggs / female from the classical one, indicating 19.46 % increase by rearing in the new unit . |
