Growth of Argyrotaenia velutinana by Egg Cannibalism

Although newly hatched larvae of many insect species feed readily on unhatched eggs in their own egg masses, no such predation has been reported for the red-banded leaf roller, Argyrotaenia velutinana (Walker). It is unlikely that egg cannibalism by this phytophagous insect occurs in nature. However, the reported study showed that larvae of this insect grew and developed when fed on a diet of eggs of the same species. The results of the present report supported experimental evidence obtained by feeding tests on chemically defined diets showing that the proportional pattern of nutritional requirements of an insect may be determined from that found in the composition of the insect, especially with regard to amino acids (Rock and King 1967).