Storage of diapausing tobacco budworm pupae (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Diapausing tobacco budworm, Heltothis virescens F., pupae were stored underground in one of three different containers: 30-ml plastic cups (housed in 10.0-liter carboy) containing either sand, corncob grit, or 2% agar; 1.0-liter plastic containers containing sand; or 10.0-liter carboys containing 2% agar and corncob grit. Control pupae were stored in plastic Petri dishes in an environmental chamber at 1°C. Pupae were exhumed after 110 d. Samples from each treatment were placed in a diapause termination environment (27°C and constant light). Ninety percent of the control pupae emerged as adults. Of the pupae stored underground, those stored in 30-ml plastic cups containing either sand or agar had the highest percent emergence (68%).