Effects of various cereal flour on life table parameters of Ephestia kuehniella (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)

The Mediterranean flour moth, Ephestia kuehniella (Zeller) (Lep.: Pyralidae) is not only known as stored products pest, but also used as a potential factitious host for mass rearing of biological agents. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of five different cereal cultivars (Wheat: Homma, Mihan and Zareh; Corn: 704 and Barley: Makui) on feeding performance and life table parameters of E. kuehniella, which was estimated by Carey life table producer. The results showed that preadult period ranged from 46.91 to 59.00 days on Corn and Zareh, respectively. The highest and lowest net reproductive rates (R0) were obtained on Homma (128.76) and Zareh (61.77) offspring/female, respectively. The highest values of the intrinsic rate of increase (r) and finite rate of increase (λ) were on Corn and Homma and the lowest was on Zareh (r: 0.079 day-1, λ: 1.08 day−1). Based on the life history and demographic parameters results, Corn and Homma were the most suitable hosts for E. kuehniella. These findings may provide helpful information in integrated pest management programs including rearing of E. kuehniella as the alternative host, which could be used in the mass production of natural enemies.