This study established an optimized artificial diet rearing system for the fruit-boring pest Carposina sasakii Matsumura (Lepidoptera: Carposinidae), evaluating both rearing performance and economic feasibility. Three methodological refinements were implemented: (ⅰ) by transferring newly hatched larvae directly onto a fresh artificial diet rather than egg-bearing filter paper, (ⅱ) with individual rearing in separate tubes, and (ⅲ) by using standardized diet replacement protocol (initial change at day 7, followed by 5-d intervals). Three novel experimental diet formulations were developed: CP (a chemical preservative 2,4-Hexadienoic acid supplemented diet), FS (a feeding stimulant 3-Methylbutyl 3-methylbutanoate supplemented diet), and CPFS (a combined chemical preservative 2,4-Hexadienoic acid and feeding stimulant 3-Methylbutyl 3-methylbutanoate supplemented diet). The improved system's efficacy was evaluated through age-stage, two-sex life table analysis of reproductive, developmental, and population parameters. Cost-effectiveness was also assessed. Results demonstrated that populations reared using the refined process and CPFS diet achieved a significantly higher intrinsic rate of increase (r = 0.0854 ± 0.0039 d-1), finite rate of increase (λ = 1.0891 ± 0.0042 d-1), and net reproductive rate (R0 = 38.95 ± 6.10 eggs) compared to apple-reared cohorts (P < 0.05). Based on a daily 1,000 pupae harvest, the artificial rearing system reduced costs by 90.00%, achieving a daily cost of only 58.00 CNY compared to 564.52 CNY for the apple-based system. These advancements establish a robust platform for mass-rearing and facilitate diverse experimental applications for the economically significant pest species, C. sasakii.
Ren et al. (Sat,) studied this question.