The impact of abiotic and biotic factors on the rearing of the mediterranean flour moth, Ephestia kuehniella (Zeller)

Articles in Press

Document Type : Review Paper

Authors

1 Assistant Professor, Iranian Research Institute of Plant Protection, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Tehran, Iran.

2 Ph.D. Student, Ferdowsi University, Mashhad, Iran.

10.22092/bcpp.2025.367793.379

Abstract

The Mediterranean flour moth, Ephestia kuehniella is a significant pest of stored products, causing quality deterioration. It is also widely used as a research model in insect biology and physiology studies. Additionally, its eggs and larvae serve as intermediary hosts and prey for rearing natural enemies in Insectaries. This study investigates the environmental factors influencing the rearing of E. kuehniella in Insectaries, focusing on diets, temperature, photoperiod, and humidity. Optimal diets, particularly combinations of wheat flour, wheat bran, and cornmeal, positively impact growth, reproduction, and egg quality. Temperature, a key factor, shows that 25–30°C provides the best conditions for growth and development, whereas temperatures above 35°C reduce survival and reproduction rates. Photoperiod influences development and reproduction, with a 16L: 8D cycle accelerating growth and development. Additionally, a relative humidity of 50–70% enhances the quality of larvae, pupae, and adults. This study demonstrates that optimizing these environmental factors can improve the efficiency of E. kuehniella in biological pest control systems, reduce costs, and increase the productivity of insect rearing in insectaries. However, biotic and abiotic factors, such as ants, braconid wasps, and pathogens, can significantly negatively affect growth and reproduction. Effective management of these factors, including ant control, preventing parasitoid intrusion, and disease prevention, is essential for optimizing the production process of E. kuehniella eggs.
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Main Subjects

References

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BioControl in Plant Protection

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Available Online from 28 April 2025

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