Abstract

Pradyumn Kumar and Ballal, C. R. (1991). Improved technique for mass rearing of spodoptera litura (lepidoptera : noctuidae)

An improved mass rearing technique for Spodoptera litura (Fabricius) has been evolved in which usual difficulties like dispensing of diet, handling of neonate larvae and harvesting of pupae have been overcome. The technique involves group rearing of larvae in two stages with minimum possible handling. Containers used for rearing are large size petri dishes and plastic boxes which can be conveniently stacked in the racks and thus occupies less space. The unique feature of the technique is that excreta never mix with the diet, thus fresh surface of diet is always available to the larvae. Required qualities of containers such as, provision for gas exchange, moisture regulation, visibility and accessibility, convenience in handling, ease in cleaning and disinfecting, reusability etc., are fully met. The technique has proved to be efficient and economic in comparison to individual rearing.