NEW METHOD OF PROCESSING DIET FOR MASS REARING PINK-BOLLWORM, PECTINOPHORA-GOSSYPIELLA SAUNDERS (LEPIDOPTERA, GELICHIIDAE)

Pink bollworm (PEW) (Pectinophora gossypiella Saunders) diet processed with a scraped surface heat exchanger (SSHE) was compared to the stan dard batch-making system currently used in the Pink Bollworm Rearing F acility (PBWRF) in Phoenix, Arizona. Diet processed by standard method s and by the SSHE method produced similar yields of pupae per rearing container in two of the three tests conducted. However, larger pupae w ere produced with the SSHE-processed diet than with the standard diet. Pupal eclosion rates were similar, but wing deformities in adults rea red on SSHE diet were higher than those reared on the standard diet. P roduction and the advantages of using the SSHE method of PEW diet proc essing are discussed.