Mass rearing of greater wax moth (Galleria mellonella L.) on artificial diet

Greater Wax Moth (Galleria mellonella L.) larvae are used as suitable host for reproduction of biocontrol agents like, Entopathogenic nematode, Steinernema carpocapsae and natural enemies viz., Microplitis croceipes and Archytas marmoratus. An artificial diet was developed during 2007–08 for mass rearing of Galleria mellonella in our laboratory (temperature 27±1°C, relative humidity 65±5% and 16:8 hr scoto-photo-phase regime). The diet ingredients consisted of wheat flour, Triticum sp. (130g), wheat bran, Triticum sp. (130g), milk powder (130g), maize flour, Zea mays (97.5g), dried yeast powder (97.5g), wax powder (26g), honey (195ml) and glycerine (195ml). This diet supported the growth and development of G. mellonella successfully for 5 generations with most suitable impact on its reproductive potential. The mean growth and development indices were higher (3.2 and 2.4) and survival percentage was as high as 91.7% on the artificial diet.