A Low-Cost Artificial Diet for the Corn Earworm123

Abstract

A definite need exists for low-cost artificial diets that will decrease the cost of mass producing insects. However, such an inexpensive diet must also produce healthy, vigorous insects that act as nearly normal as possible. Generally, the more defined, the more expensive a diet becomes. Therefore, one composed of crude organic materials that already contain most of the required nutritional components, defined by Dougherty (1959) as oligidic, should be the least expensive. Then the lowest possible cost could be achieved by purchasing, processing, mixing, and supplementing very large quantities. Blended Food Product, Child Food Supplement, Formula no. 2, commonly called CSM (for corn, soy flour, and milk solids), is such a product.