Effect of Drinking Water on Production of Eggs by the European Corn Borer123

Production of eggs by mass-reared Ostrinia nubilalis (Hübner) has been satisfactory, but individual pair matings have resulted in undependable production and variable hatchability. Drinking water for moths is essential for good egg production and for satisfactory hatch ability of the eggs. Water should be made available 24 hours a day by placing the small oviposition cages containing individual pairs of moths on a moistened cotton pad in a half petri dish. Sprinkling the screen of cages twice a day did not provide sufficient water.