Effects of Adult Feeding Treatments on Longevity, Fecundity, Flight Ability, and Energy Metabolism Enzymes of Grapholita molesta Moths

Abstract

The oriental fruit moth, Grapholita molesta (Busck) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) is one of the most severe fruit tree pests in China, causing huge economic losses to fruit production. So far, there are few detailed reports on the rearing protocols of G. molesta. In this study, we compared the longevity, 10-d fecundity, flight ability, and the activity of major energy metabolism enzymes in the flight muscles of G. molesta under three feeding regimes (supplement with sterile water, supplement with 10% honey solution and starvation) of the adult moths. The results showed that the longevity, 10-d fecundity, and flight parameters (cumulative flight distance and time, maximum flight distance and duration, and the average flight speed) of adult moths when supplemented with sterile water or honey solution were significantly higher than those of moths that were starved. There were no significant differences in the 10-d fecundity, flight parameters, and the activity of major energy metabolism enzymes of flight muscles between moths that were supplemented with sterile water or 10% honey solution. The flight muscles of G. molesta mainly used carbohydrates as an energy source when sterile water and honey solution were supplemented, and the moth mainly used lipids as an energy source under starvation. Considering the cost and potential for diet contamination during mass-rearing, supplying sterile water is considered a cost effective option for food substitution of adult G. molesta.