ADULT DIETS FOR LABORATORY REARING OF THE MEXICAN RICE BORER (LEPIDOPTERA, PYRALIDAE)

Longevity, oviposition profiles, fecundity, and egg fertility were com pared when mated and unmated laboratory-reared adults of the Mexican r ice borer, Eoreuma loftini (Dyar), were supplied water or 10% sucrose solution (w/v), or no diet at all. Male E. loftini survived longest wh en supplied water; longevity and fecundity of both mated and unmated f emales were also greatest when moths were provided water. Adult diet d id not influence egg fertility. Adult diet influenced longevity of mal es more than that of females. Longevity of females was further reduced by access to a mate. Fecundity of mated females was greater, and more sensitive to adult diet, than that of unmated females. Impacts of the sucrose diet or absence of a diet on oviposition profiles of mated fe males were greatest after the second day of oviposition.