Modified semi-synthetic diet for mass rearing of wax moth Galleria mellonella L.

Asemi-synthetic diet with modified composition was used for mass rearing of wax moth Galleria mellonella L. (28±2^ºC, 65±5%RH, 12: 12 scoto-photophase). The ingredients consisted of wheat flour (Triticum aestivum) (170g), maize flour (Zea mays) (170g), oat (Avena sativa) (160g), milk powder (170g), yeast powder (20g), honey (160ml), glycerin (150ml), streptomycin sulphate (0.5g) and two vitamin E capsules (Evion 400mg-2). This diet successfully supported growth and development of G. mellonella for three generations with enhanced larval weight. The biological parameters based on three continuous generations showed maximum larval weight of 5^th instars, (44.1mg), pupal weight (24.0mg), pupation (74%), emergence (83%), survival (63%), fecundity (1252 eggs/female) and fertility (77%) with lesser developmental period (egg to adult) of 62 days. All the components of the diet are easily available and economical too as the cost of 1 kg diet was approximately Rs. 500 only, for rearing 1000 larvae successfully.