Population growth traits of the flour moth, Ephestia kuehniella and their relationship with some physical and biochemical properties of various maize hybrids

The Mediteranean flour moth, Ephestia kuehniella Zeller (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) is one of the pests of stored products in many areas of the world. The eggs and larvae of E. kuehniella are widely used to rearing parasitoids and predators for biological control programs. In current research, the effects of various maize hybrids flour including KSC 201, KSC 260, KSC 400, KSC 410, SC 705 and SC 706 on the life history variables of E. kuehniella was studied. Also, physical (humidity and hardiness index) and biochemical (protein and starch contents) characteristics of the tested hybrids were assessed in order to understand any possible correlation between important demographic parameters with biochemical and physical features of maize hybrids. Results showed that different hybrids have significant effects on the life history and demographical parameters of E. kuehniella. The longest development time was observed on SC 706 hybrid (54.54 d) and the shortest was on KSC 410 hybrid (52.52 d). The highest fecundity was on KSC 410 hybrid (210.58 egg), while the lowest one was detected on KSC 201 (163.16 egg) and SC 706 (157.83 egg) hybrids. Also, the lowest highest intrinsic rate of increase was observed on SC 706 hybrid (0.065 day-1) and the highest was on KSC 410 hybrid (0.081 day-1). In this study, significant variations in physical traits and biochemical metabolites were observed between the various hybrid. Moreover, significant positive correlation between fecundity, net reproductive rate and intrinsic rate of increase variables plus starch contents of various hosts were found. The results indicated that KSC 410 hybrid was suitable host for mass rearing of E. kuehniella.