Codling Moth: Mass Production in Controlled-Environment Rearing Units1

Laspeyresia pomonella (L.) was mass-reared successfully on artificial diet under limited laboratory facilities by providing the necessary sanitation and environmental control within single-tray rearing units. Trays were held within plastic bags inflated by humidified compressed air. Regulated humidity and air flow resulted in controlled desiccation of the medium which discouraged growth of contaminants while ensuring sufficient retention of moisture in the medium to allow complete larval development. Other phases of the rearing are described, including techniques for collecting adults into a low-temperature environment to prevent mating and to reduce physiological aging. Some of the techniques also were employed successfully for rearing the lepidopterans Archips argyrospilus (Walker) and Paramyelois transitella (Walker).