STUDIES ON VITAMIN REQUIREMENTS OF LARVAE OF THE ONION MAGGOT, HYLEMYA ANTIQUA (MG.), UNDER ASEPTIC CONDITIONS

Abstract

Larvae of the onion maggot, Hylemya antiqua (Mg.), were reared individually under aseptic conditions on chemically defined diets. Of 11 growth factors tested, biotin, pantothenic acid, choline, folic acid, pyridoxine, riboflavin, niacin, and thiamine were essential for normal growth and development of the larvae. Omitting one of vitamin B12, thioctic acid, or coenzyme A slowed larval development slightly; fewer larvae pupated, and the ratio of male to female flies was high. However, these growth factors were not essential under the experimental conditions. This is believed to be the first chemically defined diet that will support the growth and development of a phytophagous insect under aseptic conditions. The check diet, which contained all of the vitamins tested, consisted of 19 l-amino acids, 9 B vitamins, coenzyme A, thioctic acid, inosine, thymine, ribonucleic acid, glucose, cholesterol, a salt mixture, and agar.