Effect of different amount of flour moth, Anagasta kuehniella eggs and second feeding on its larva production in insectarium condition

Mediterranean flour moth Anagasta kuehniella (Zeller) is considered as one of the hosts that used for mass rearing of Habrobracon hebetor Say (Hym.: Braconidae). In this research effects of five amounts of flour moth eggs (0.4, 0.5, 6.0, 0.7 and 0.8 gr) on a constant diet (1.5 kg of wheat flour and 0.5 kg of rice bran) and five amount of wheat flour that added as second feeding at the mid of rearing period (0, 0.25, 0.5 0.75 and 1 kg) were investigated on some larval morphological characteristics and sex ratio and fertility of adults moths. Results showed that maximum weight of 100 larvae (3.35 gr), was obtained in minimum amount of egg weight (0.4 gr) and maximum secondary feeding (1 kg). While, maximum total larvae weight in a treatment (254 gr), was recorded in 0.8 gr egg weight and 1 kg flour weight as secondary feeding. Also highest female/male sex ratio (1.29: 1) observed in 0.5 gr egg weight and zero secondary feeding. On the other hand, bigger larvae that reared on higher amount of flour, laid higher amount of eggs and their eggs were heavier too. According to results, for the best outcome in flour moth rearing in insectarium it would be suggested that at the beginning 0.4-0.5 gr of insect eggs should be added to 2 kg of rearing media and after that 0.8-1 kg of wheat flour should be added to this diet at the mid of rearing period.