A method for rearing <i>Arhopalus ferus</i> (Mulsant) (Coleoptera Cerambycidae) larvae on a modified artificial diet

Abstract

Burnt pine longhorn (BPL) Arhopalus ferus (Mulsant) (Coleoptera Cerambycidae) is an introduced species sometimes found in association with export logs and sawn timber A rearing method was developed to produce larvae of a known age number and quality for control trials Growth of larvae from newly hatched to 5 weeks was measured on a standard cerambycid artificial diet and on modified diets Replacing pine wood with pine bark sawdust increased survival at 5 weeks from 23 to 76 and mean weight from 9 to 21 mg There were significant interactions between the influences of three factors (diet period of rearing initial larval density) on the weight of surviving larvae Individual rearing was preferred for convenience and a standardised method was used to rear 8740 larvae for disinfestation trials Establishment and survival to 6 weeks for these larvae was 97