EFFECTS OF ASCORBIC-ACID DEFICIENCIES ON LARVAE OF LYMANTRIA-DISPAR (LEPIDOPTERA, LYMANTRIIDAE)

We assessed the effects of ascorbic acid and total vitamin deficiencie s on growth, food processing efficiencies and survival of larval gypsy moths. Artificial diet lacking ascorbic acid did not alter performanc e of fourth instars, whereas diet lacking a total vitamin mix marginal ly reduced growth. All vitamin deficient diets substantially reduced s urvival of fourth-fifth instars. Mortality occurred primarily during m olting periods, providing further evidence of the putative role of asc orbic acid in cuticle formation.