Preliminary investigation on rearing of Aeolesthes sarta Solsky (Col. Cerambycidae) on artificial diet

Although Aeolesthes sarta Solsky is one of the most destructive pests of fruit trees، forest and ornamental plants in Iran and other countries، but artificial diet has not made yet for this pest. For the first time in the world، we tried to make artificial diet for this borer. In this regards، Elm''s stem wood powder 16 gr. (unit)، distilled water 70 cc (unit)، acid benzoic 0. 3 gr. (unit)، hydroxy benzoate 0. 4 gr. (unit)، nipagin 0. 3 gr. (unit)، agar- agar 5 gr. (unit) and yeast extract 4 gr. (unit) were mixed together and distilled water was gradually added to get a paste. The paste was placed into the special bowels (Erlenmeyer 250cc، 150 cc of paste into each bowel) and autoclaved. The hibernate and the first instar larvae of A. sarta were putted into the bowels in the laboratory conditions (25‏± 1 C، 60-70% r. h. and no light). Rearing of hibernate larvae began in May and the larvae were pupated in September. After 2-3 months the pupae transformed to adults. The results obtained on laboratorial and field conditions were approximately similar. Also young larvae were reared on artificial diet successfully and molted for two or tree times. They could complete their life cycle on artificial diet in 22 months.