Feeding and growth pattern of rice moth <i>Corcyra cephalonica</i> (Stainton) on different diets

Food is a decisive factor affecting the insects' biological parameters and physiological functions, including the rice moth Corcyra cephalonica (Stainton). Seeds' physical and biochemical properties influence the insect's feeding behaviour and the decisions it makes during its development. The present study aimed to investigate the relationship between the diet and the growth of the rice moth. Four different seeds: rice (Oryza sativa L.), wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), maize (Zea mays L.) and groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) were used in the experiments as diets for C. cephalonica larvae to investigate their properties’ impact on the biological parameters (durations and dimensions of egg, larval instars, pupa and adults, weights of the full-grown larva, pupa and adults, and female fecundity) of the insect. The results confirmed that seeds' physical and biochemical properties significantly affect the rice moth's fitness. Groundnut and maize seeds were superior in almost all the parameters studied, followed by wheat to a lesser degree, while rice came last. The total life cycle was 106.66, 81.37, 76.63 and 68.64 days for rice, wheat, groundnut and maize, respectively. The eggs took between 5.03 to 5.59 days to hatch. Total larval period ranged between 48.62 days in groundnut and 82.83 days in rice. Similarly, pupal period was maximum in rice (10.4 days) and minimum in groundnut (7.4 days). Male longevity was insignificant among treatments, ranging between 8.2 to 10.48 days, while female longevity ranged from 5.44 to 6.82 days. So, the present study could conclude that groundnut and maize were the most suitable hosts for rice moth growth.