Ovipositional preferences and larval performances of two populations of Indianmeal moth, Plodia interpunctella

Oviposition decisions by female insects can determine the survival and fitness of their offspring. In this study, we assessed the larval performance and adult oviposition preferences of two populations of the Indianmeal moth, Plodia interpunctella (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), one a long-term laboratory colony and another recently collected from the field. Development assays on a variety of foods were conducted on individual larvae in small shell vials, and data were collected for survival (percent), development time (days), and adult weight (mg). Larvae from both populations did not survive on ground walnut, pecan, coriander, and fennel. There were significant differences in larval survival on laboratory diet, chick pea, and soybean between the two populations. Development times were the longest on prunes and barley. Mean adult weights were the highest on chick pea, laboratory diet, and soybean for the laboratory moths whereas soybean and chick pea were very suitable for the field moths. Overall, field moths weighed significantly less than the laboratory moths. Adult ovipositional preferences were assessed in no-choice and four-choice oviposition bioassays in plastic boxes containing diets differing in quality. In a no-choice situation, the numbers of eggs laid by laboratory moths on soybean, apricots, and wheat were not significantly different. Field moths laid significantly greater numbers of eggs on soybean, and those numbers were similar to those laid on barley. In four-choice bioassays, laboratory moths oviposited in diets previously determined to be unsuitable for their progeny survival. Field moths were more selective and laid significantly greater numbers of eggs on soybean than in dishes containing barley, coriander, or an empty dish. Our studies clearly showed that laboratory colonization of Plodia interpunctella for long periods can alter the behavioral patterns of immatures and adults.     

Behavioral and reproductive effects of ultrasound on the Indian meal moth, Plodia interpunctella

The daily activity patterns of adult movement, female calling, and mating of the Indian meal moth, Plodia interpunctella (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), were examined both in the absence and presence of ultrasound. Moths were exposed to ultrasound from a commercial ultrasonic device (Cix 0600) that produces constant sound patterns, and from a device developed at Kansas State University (KSU device) that produces random sound patterns. Daily activity patterns of adult movement, female calling, and mating followed a similar trend in the absence or presence of ultrasound. Female calling and mating, both in the absence and presence of ultrasound, primarily occurred during scotophase (21.00–07.00 hours). Ultrasound from the two devices significantly reduced the frequency of female calling and mating relative to unexposed moths. Consequently, the number of spermatophores transferred by males to females and egg production were lower in females exposed to ultrasound compared with unexposed females. In the absence of ultrasound, female P. interpunctella mated 2.9 times, resulting in 2.8 spermatophores/female. In the presence of ultrasound from the Cix 0600 device, a female mated 2.1 times and had 1.7 spermatophores. Corresponding values for the KSU device were 1.9 and 1.4, respectively. In the absence of ultrasound, 78% of the matings lasted 30–90 min, whereas in the presence of ultrasound 45–58% of the matings lasted either less than 30 min or more than 90 min. Moths exposed to ultrasound laid 96–130 eggs female^?1 compared with 229 eggs female^?1 for unexposed moths. Ultrasound did not affect the pre‐oviposition period and adult longevity of P. interpunctella.     

Disruption of the odour-mediated mating behaviour of Plodia interpunctella using high-frequency sound

Abstract Indian meal moths, Plodia interpunctella Hübner (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), have ears which are sensitive to high‐frequency calls produced by echolocating, insectivorous bats. The influence of artificially generated, high‐intensity, ultrasound signals (25 kHz, 106 dB SPL at 1 m distance) on different parameters involved in the odour‐mediated mating behaviour of this species and its potential use in population control was investigated. All moths flying towards olfactory cues in flight tunnel experiments reacted strongly to a 1 s ultrasound pulse by cessation of flight and falling out of the odour plume. The source contact proportion of both male moths orienting towards the female‐produced sex pheromone and of mated female moths orienting towards an oviposition cue was reduced by 40%, compared to unexposed moths. Calling females responded to the sound by retraction of the ovipositor or by falling to the ground. Long‐term exposure to repetitive pulses of ultrasound suppressed female calling by up to 27%. Furthermore, mating in plastic tents was disrupted by up to 58% in ultrasound‐treated tents using different sound regimens, compared to control tents. The results are discussed in relation to the potential use of ultrasound technology for the population control of pyralid stored product pests.     

Synergistic effects of heat and diatomaceous earth treatment for the control of Plodia interpunctella (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)

Plodia interpunctella is a major economic pest that commonly infests most stored and processed agricultural products. Currently, heating at 50–60°C for at least 48 h is applied in facilities for disinfestation. However, this condition requires a great deal of time and expense. To improve the control efficiency of this system, we conducted combined treatments with heating and diatomaceous earth (DE), which is known to be toxic to pest insects. The DE effect was compared to heating at 25°C or 40°C to wandering fifth instar larvae, which is the stage most tolerant to heat. When larvae were brushed with DE powder, mortality was only 15.0–18.3% at 25°C for 10 days, but rapidly increased to 100% at 40°C within 4 h post‐treatment. In addition, when larvae were kept in a plastic cage with DE [4 mg/L (w/v)], their mortality was 100% in 24 h at 40°C post‐treatment; otherwise mortality was only 8.8% without DE. Thus, the control efficiency of heating significantly improved with the combination of DE. These effects increased further at higher temperatures and with longer exposure. Our results clearly showed that DE treatment showed synergistic effects with heating systems for the control of P. interpunctella.     

Reidentification of the female sex pheromone of the Indian meal moth, Plodia interpunctella: evidence for a four-component pheromone blend

Pheromone gland extracts from calling female Plodia interpunctella contained at least seven compounds that consistently elicited electroantennographic responses from male antennae upon gas chromatographic analysis. Three of these compounds were found to be the previously identified gland constituents, i.e., (Z,E)-9,12-tetradecadienyl acetate (Z9,E12-14:OAc), (Z,E)-9,12-tetradecadienal (Z9,E12-14:Ald) and (Z,E)-9,12-tetradecadienol (Z9,E12-14:OH). A fourth EAD-active compound was identified as (Z)-9-tetradecenyl acetate (Z9-14:OAc). The homologue (Z)-11-hexadecenyl acetate (Z11-16:OAc) was also identified in the extracts, but showed no EAD activity. The identity of all five compounds was confirmed by comparison of GC retention times and mass spectra with those of synthetic standards. In flight tunnel tests there were no significant differences in response of male P. interpunctella to the bait containing all four EAD-active compounds and the responses to female gland extacts. A behavioural assay of different two-compound blends in the flight tunnel showed that only addition of the corresponding aldehyde to the major pheromone component Z9,E12-14:OAc raised the male response. A subtractive assay, however, revealed that the exclusion of any of the compounds from the complete four-compound blend reduced its activity significantly. We thus conclude that the female-produced sex pheromone of P. interpunctella consists of at least four components, i.e., Z9,E12-14:OAc, Z9,E12-14:Ald, Z9,E12-14:OH and Z9-14:OAc.In a field trapping test performed in a storage facility, the four-component blend attracted significantly more males of P. interpunctella than traps baited with Z9,E12-14:OAc alone. In contrast, the highest number of Ephestia kuehniella males was found in the traps baited with this major component, suggesting that the secondary pheromone components contribute to the species specificity of the blend.     

Effect of semolina-jaggery diet on survival and development of Drosophila melanogaster

Drosophila melanogaster is an ideal model organism for developmental studies. This study tests the potential of semolina-jaggery (SJ) diet as a new formulation for bulk rearing of flies. Semolina and jaggery are organic products obtained from wheat endosperm and cane sugar, respectively. Semolina is a rich source of carbohydrates and protein. Jaggery has a high content of dietary sugars. Moreover, preparation of semolina jaggery diet is cost-effective and easy. Thus, the current study aimed to compare survival and developmental parameters of flies fed the SJ diet to flies fed the standard cornmeal-sugar-yeast (CSY) diet. SJ diet enhanced survival of flies without affecting fecundity; male flies showed increased resistance to starvation. A higher number of flies emerged at F₂ and F₃ generation when fed the SJ diet than when fed the control CSY diet. SJ diet did not increase fly body weight and lipid percentage. Therefore, SJ diet can be used for bulk rearing of healthy flies at par with the standard cornmeal-sugar-yeast diet.     

Long-term pheromone-mediated mating disruption of the Mediterranean flour moth, Ephestia kuehniella, in a flourmill

Several studies have indicated that mating disruption (MD) successfully reduces population densities of stored product moths, for example, the Mediterranean flour moth, Ephestia kuehniella (Zeller) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae). However, practical issues, such as finding control plots, replication, and lack of similarity between replicates, often incur problems in full-scale investigations and often draw focus from the added results. We here present results from long-term monitoring of E. kuehniella populations in two similar flourmills in Poland, one treated with pheromone for MD and one left untreated and used as control. Pheromone-mediated MD was applied during 2 years. Thirty pheromone dispensers (one per 100 m³ factory volume), each releasing about 2 mg ( Z,E )-9,12-tetradecadienyl acetate per day, were used. Pheromone-baited traps were used to monitor the moth populations in the MD mill and in a nearby untreated mill. The reduction in trap catch during the MD treatment was about 90% or more, compared with the untreated mill or pre-treatment periods of the MD mill. The reduction was larger during the 2nd year of MD than during the 1st year. These results contribute to the picture that MD is an effective method to control moth species infesting stored products.     

甜菜夜蛾人工饲料及饲养技术研究

研究了人工继代繁殖甜菜夜蛾饲料配方及饲养方法 ,测定了各虫态发育历期、幼虫死亡率、化蛹率、羽化率、蛹畸形率及不同世代蛹重。采用改进的饲料配方饲养的深圳种群 ,第 2代幼虫死亡率、化蛹率、蛹畸形率、羽化率分别为 7 8% ,97 3 % ,2 7%和 93 8% ,第 2 ,5 ,9,1 2代平均单头蛹重分别为 1 1 9 7± 1 6 1 ,98 3± 1 1 4,94 3± 1 2 6和 82 4± 9 6mg,平均单雌产卵量分别为 1 1 3 7 2± 63 3 ,684 5± 5 3 7,45 6 9± 40 2和 3 91 7± 45 6粒。人工饲养的甜菜夜蛾 ,卵、幼虫、蛹、雌性成虫的发育历期分别为 2 5～3 5 ,1 0～ 1 2 5 ,7～ 8 5和 8～ 1 4天 ,完成一个世代需要 2 1～ 2 5天。     

Effect of semolina-jaggery diet on survival and development of Drosophila melanogaster

Drosophila melanogaster is an ideal model organism for developmental studies. This study tests the potential of semolina-jaggery (SJ) diet as a new formulation for bulk rearing of flies. Semolina and jaggery are organic products obtained from wheat endosperm and cane sugar, respectively. Semolina is a rich source of carbohydrates and protein. Jaggery has a high content of dietary sugars. Moreover, preparation of semolina jaggery diet is cost-effective and easy. Thus, the current study aimed to compare survival and developmental parameters of flies fed the SJ diet to flies fed the standard cornmeal-sugar-yeast (CSY) diet. SJ diet enhanced survival of flies without affecting fecundity; male flies showed increased resistance to starvation. A higher number of flies emerged at F₂ and F₃ generation when fed the SJ diet than when fed the control CSY diet. SJ diet did not increase fly body weight and lipid percentage. Therefore, SJ diet can be used for bulk rearing of healthy flies at par with the standard cornmeal-sugar-yeast diet.     

Evidence for a conserved microbiota across the different developmental stages of Plodia interpunctella

Diversity and composition of lepidopteran microbiotas are poorly investigated, especially across the different developmental stages. To improve this knowledge, we characterize the microbiota among different developmental stages of the Indian meal moth, Plodia interpunctella, which is considered one of the major pest of commodities world-wide. Using culture-independent approach based on Illumina 16S rRNA gene sequencing we characterized the microbiota of four developmental stages: eggs, first-, and last-instar larvae, and adult. A total of 1022 bacterial OTUs were obtained, showing a quite diversified microbiota associated to all the analyzed stages. The microbiotas associated with P. interpunctella resulted almost constant throughout the developmental stages, with approximately 77% of bacterial OTUs belonging to the phylum of Proteobacteria. The dominant bacterial genus is represented by Burkholderia (?64%), followed by Propionibacterium, Delftia, Pseudomonas, and Stenotrophomonas. A core bacterial community, composed of 139 OTUs, was detected in all the developmental stages, among which 112 OTUs were assigned to the genus Burkholderia. A phylogenetic reconstruction, based on the 16S rRNA, revealed that our Burkholderia OTUs clustered with Burkholderia cepacia complex, in the same group of those isolated from the hemipterans Gossyparia spuria and Acanthococcus aceris. The functional profiling, predicted on the base of the bacterial 16S rRNA, indicates differences in the metabolic pathways related to metabolism of amino acids between preimaginal and adult stages. We can hypothesize that bacteria may support the insect host during preimaginal stages.     

二化螟人工饲养技术

二化螟Chilo suppressalis(Walker)是我国水稻上的重要害虫,为促进其防控技术研究,迫切需要建立二化螟标准化饲养技术。根据二化螟对关键营养成分的需求,研制了一种适合其生长发育、存活和繁殖的人工饲料配方,并发展了其长期、继代、规模化饲养的标准饲养技术。已用该饲料配方和饲养技术连续饲养二化螟69代,其适合度指标仍保持较高水平。该饲料配方和饲养技术适合二化螟的周年继代和规模化饲养,同时也为其它寡食性昆虫人工饲料的研制与开发提供借鉴和参考。     

Differential induction of heat shock protein genes to the combined treatments of heat with diatomaceous earth,phosphine or carbon dioxide on Plodia interpunctella

Heating is one of the many disinfestation methods commonly used in facilities that store and process agricultural products. In this study, we have investigated whether the combination of heat treatment with diatomaceous earth (DE), phosphine (PH₃) or CO₂ affects the mortality of the wandering larvae of Plodia interpunctella, which is a major pest found in most stored agricultural products. The mortality rate was 35.0% at day 1 after heat treatment at 40°C for 6 h; however, mortality rates increased after combined treatments of heat and 1 ppm DE or 10 ppm PH₃, while 10% CO₂ had no significant effect. Quantitative real‐time PCR analysis showed that combined treatments involving 1 h of heat treatment with either DE, PH₃ or CO₂ increased the mRNA levels of four heat shock protein (hsp) genes (hsp25, hsp70, grp78 and hsp90) in wandering larvae, 1 h post‐treatment, although those rates were slightly differentiated in each heat shock protein. Our results demonstrate that combinations of heat and DE or PH₃ show increased lethality, although insects produce stress responses at the molecular level.     

A meridic diet for the rearing of Hyaliodes vitripennis (Hemiptera: Miridae), a predator of mites in apple orchards

We compared biological parameters of the mite predator Hyaliodes vitripennis (Hemiptera: Miridae) reared on live Tetranychus urticae Koch versus two artificial diets used in rearing generalist predators: Coleomegilla maculata lengi Timberlake (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) and Chrysoperla rufilabris Burmeister (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae). Both coccinellid and chrysopid diet resulted in lower mortality and increased longevity of H. vitripennis, but daily fecundity was greater with the former. The phagostimulant β-sistosterol had the greatest impact on H. vitripennis mortality (lowest) and nymphal weight gain (highest) when added to the coccinellid diet. These results demonstrate that H. vitripennis could be reared on an artificial diet, and suggests that β-sistosterol has phagostimulant properties for this predator.     

Carcass analysis to improve a meat-based diet for the artificial rearing of the predatory mirid bug Dicyphus tamaninii

Improvement of an existing meat-based diet has been obtained for rearing the generalist predator Dicyphus tamaninii (Heteroptera: Miridae). The approach followed, different from the classical addition/deletion method, was performing biochemical analysis of adult carcasses in order to have information about the nutritional status of the predator. Comparison of total, free amino acids and lipid composition of meat-reared and conventionally reared females allowed detecting some nutritional deficiencies. A reformulated diet with new sources of proteins and lipids was tested again with the predator. Some biological parameters of bugs that were inferior in the initial meat diet when compared with those of the conventionally reared insects, such as nymphal development time and fresh weight, have been improved with the reformulated diet.     

Life cycle changes during 12 successive generations of laboratory colonisation of the leafroller Cnephasia jactatana (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) on artificial diet

Abstract

Close monitoring of the lepidopteran leafroller Cnephasia jactatana under laboratory colonisation revealed few distinct effects of successive rearing on artificial diet on the life cycle. The second laboratory generation had a prolonged development time and altered sex synchronism in pupation and eclosion patterns. Some deleterious changes were observed in later generations, including decreases in fertility, egg hatch and sperm motility, failure of mating adults to separate, and pupal and adult malformations. These changes were not adaptive, but were due to incompatibility with the general purpose diet (GPD) used; they were absent under sub-colonisation on a sheepnut-bean based diet (SBD). Success in the laboratory colonisation of C. jactatana is attributed to a random mating protocol, choice of environmental conditions representing the wild habitat, and a rapid rate of population growth.     

Protein malnutrition mitigates the effects of a high-fat diet on glucose homeostasis in mice

Nutrient malnutrition, during the early stages of development, may facilitate the onset of metabolic diseases later in life. However, the consequences of nutritional insults, such as a high-fat diet (HFD) after protein restriction, are still controversial. We assessed overall glucose homeostasis and molecular markers of mitochondrial function in the gastrocnemius muscle of protein-restricted mice fed an HFD until early adulthood. Male C57BL/6 mice were fed a control (14% protein-control diet) or a protein-restricted (6% protein-restricted diet) diet for 6 weeks. Afterward, mice received an HFD or not for 8 weeks (mice fed a control diet and HFD [CH] and mice fed a protein-restricted diet and HFD [RH]). RH mice showed lower weight gain and fat accumulation and did not show an increase in fasting plasma glucose and insulin levels compared with CH mice. RH mice showed higher energy expenditure, increased citrate synthase, peroxisome-proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1-alpha protein content, and higher levels of malate and α-ketoglutarate compared with CH mice. Moreover, RH mice showed increased AMPc-dependent kinase and acetyl coenzyme-A (CoA) carboxylase phosphorylation, lower intramuscular triacylglycerol content, and similar malonyl-CoA levels. In conclusion, protein undernourishment after weaning does not potentiate fat accumulation and insulin resistance in adult young mice fed an HFD. This outcome seems to be associated with increased skeletal muscle mitochondrial oxidative capacity and reduced lipids accumulation.     

The effects of selection for larval behavior on adult life-history features in Drosophila melanogaster

Selection for late-life fecundity and longevity in adult Drosophila melanogaster is well known to modify numerous characteristics of life history and physiology. We report experiments here in which selection applied to behavior affects features in an identical fashion. Selection for feeding rate of larval D. melanogaster modifies caloric intake, as measured by the uptake and incorporation of labeled glucose. Selection for slow larval feeding produced lines of D. melanogaster in which larvae synthesized significantly less lipid prior to pupation and eclosed to have low early-life fecundity and a long life as adults. They also had greater lifetime fecundity, but lower viability of egg to hatched adult. Alternatively, fast-feeding larvae incorporated more lipid before pupation and eclosed with high early-fecundity that declined rapidly throughout their short adult life. Slow-feeding populations also had a significantly enhanced expression of the stress-resistance genes CuZn-SOD, CATALASE, and HSP70. Selection on larval feeding behavior reproduced the antagonistic evolutionary trade-off found under selection for adult life span and mimicked the physiological response in life span as seen in many species when dietary restriction is imposed on adults. Thus, nutrient acquisition during development appears to share a common evolutionary and genetic basis with the allocation processes that determine adult life-history traits and the related phenotypic dietary restriction phenomena.     

Evaluation of a pelleted diet for larval mass-rearing of Anastrepha ludens and Anastrepha obliqua

Most artificial diets used for mass-rearing of fruit fly larvae involve the purchase and independent weighing of each ingredient of the formulation, followed by mixing and diet preparation process. A ready-to-use formulation would avoid this time-consuming task and simplify the preparation procedure, leading to a more standardized diet. In this work, we compared life-history traits and survival and developmental parameters of Anastrepha ludens Loew and Anastrepha obliqua (Macquart) (Diptera: Tephritidae) reared on two formulations of an artificial diet. Two experiments were performed; first, a conventional non-pelleted diet was compared to a newly developed pelleted diet, which was mixed with water before being given to the larvae. The second experiment consisted of a comparison between the pelleted diet which was stirred in a mixer with water and dissolved preservatives and a pelleted diet which was only soaked in water with dissolved preservatives. We found that the pelleted diet allowed the mass-rearing of A. ludens and A. obliqua. Moreover, feeding larvae with pelleted diet led to increased weight of the larva by 7.4 and 11.8%, and of the pupa by 9.5 and 16.7% for A. ludens and A. obliqua, respectively, compared to conventional diet. For process evaluation, the number of activities, handling time, reception, storage, and larval diet preparation were recorded. The pelleted diet only needed soaking in water containing preservatives, thereby simplifying the mass-rearing process and saving time, space, and labour. Pelletizing is a versatile technology that can be adjusted for better physicochemical quality and reduced microbiological risk. This diet should be of particular interest for the mass-rearing process in ‘sterile insect technique’ applications.     

The antagonistic/synergistic effects of some medicinal plant essential oils,extracts and powders combined with Diatomaceous earth on red flour beetle,Tribolium castaneum Herbst (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae)

Abstract

Red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum Herbst (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) is a prominent pest of stored products particularly cereal flour. Since resistance of this pest to common chemical insecticides is well documented, we were examined the synergistic/antagonistic interaction between Satureja hortensis L., Trachyspermum ammi L., Ziziphora tenuior L., Cuminum cyminum L. and Foeniculum vulgare Miller essential oils, ethanolic extracts and powders with Diatomaceous earth (DE) against T. castaneum adults under laboratory conditions at 27 ± 1 °C, 65 ± 5% RH and continuous darkness. We assayed repellency of ethanolic extracts and essential oils of mentioned plants on the pest. Results showed that DE had high toxicity to the pest. Plant essential oils and ethanolic extracts (except ziziphora) synergized the performance of DE. Nevertheless, plant powders elicited antagonistic effects (except ziziphora that exhibited synergistic effect). The most repellent EO and extract was cumin which exhibited mean repellency value on adult insect equivalent to 92.58 and 51.47%, respectively.     

Larval diet with a starter phase for mass-rearing Ceratitis capitata: substitution and refinement in the use of yeasts and sugars

Replacing commercial granular sucrose by inexpensive sugar-cane molasses in the finisher bulk phase of the Seibersdorf standard larval diet with starter (SLDS) for Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann) (Diptera: Tephritidae) had no detrimental effect on larval stage duration, pupal size, pupal recovery from hatched eggs, adult emergence, and adult flight ability. When a low-cost yeast from Cairo replaced Schwechat brewer's yeast in the Seibersdorf standard larval diet without the starter (SLD), all quality measurements except the larval stage duration were improved by 5–10%, the increase found significant for adult emergence and flight ability. When sugar and Schwechat yeast were replaced by molasses and Cairo yeast, respectively, in both starter and finisher phases of the SLDS, all quality measurements except the pupal size were affected negatively, the difference from control found almost always significant for larval stage duration and pupal recovery. When the SLDS diet contained molasses and Cairo yeast, molasses could be reduced in the finisher by 50% with no significant reduction on any of the quality measurements except the pupal size which was reduced by 6%. A similar reduction of Cairo yeast resulted in a significant reduction of both pupal recovery (by 26%) and adult emergence (by 18%). Yeast could be reduced by 50% only when molasses was simultaneously increased by 25%. Finally, in the starter phase of SLDS sodium benzoate or citric acid could be reduced considerably without a significant effect on any of the quality measurements.

---

Zusammenfassung Der Ersatz von kommerziell verfügbarem, granuliertem Rübenzucker durch billige Zuckerrohrmelasse in der Endkomponente der in Seibersdorf für die Massenaufzucht von Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann) (Diptera: Tephritidae) verwendeten Standard-Larven-Diät mit Starter (SLDS) hatte keine negativen Auswirkungen auf (i) die Dauer des Larvenstadiums (ii) die Größe der Puppen (iii) die Entwicklung der Puppen nach dem Schlüpfen sowie auf (iv) die Entwicklung und (v) die Flugfähigkeit erwachsener Fruchtfliegen. Desgleichen führte ein Ersatz von Schwechater Brauhefe durch billige Hefe aus Kairo in der standardisierten Seibersdorfer Larvendiät ohne Starter (SLD) zu einer 5–10% igen Verbesserung der bewerteten Qualitätsparameter mit Ausnahme der Dauer des Larvenstadiums; die Entwicklung und Flugfähigkeit erwachsener Fliegen war zudem signifikant verbessert.Bei Ersatz von Zucker und Schwechater Brauhefe durch Melasse bzw. Hefe aus Kairo sowohl in der Starterphase als auch in der Endkomponente der SLDS wurden alle bewerteten Qualitätskriterien mit Ausnahme der Größe der Puppen negativ beeinflußt; signifikant verschlechterte Werte zu den Kontrollen traten insbesonders bei der Dauer des Larvenstadiums und der Entwicklung der Puppen auf. Enthielt dagegen die SLDS-Diät Melasse und Hefe aus Kairo, so konnte der Melasseanteil in der Endkomponente der Diät ohne signifikante negative Auswirkungen auf die Qualitätskontrollmerkmale um 50% verringert werden; nur die Größe der Puppen war um 6% reduziert. Eine gleich große Verringerung des Anteils an Kairohefe führte zu einer signifikanten Reduktion der Entwicklung der Puppen (um 26%) und der Entwicklung erwachsener Fliegen (um 18%). Hefe aus Kairo konnte nur dann um 50% vermindert werden, wenn der Melasseanteil gleichzeitig um 25% erhöht wurde.Letztendlich konnte Natriumbenzoat oder Zitronensäure in der Starterphase der SLDS ohne significante Auswirkungen auf die bewerteten Qualitätskriterien wesentlich reduziert werden.