Clover Cutworm, Scotogramma trifolii1: a Semidefined Larval Diet and Colony Maintenance

Abstract
A semidefined larval diet and rearing procedures for the clover cutworm, Scotogramma trifolii (Hufnagel) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), are described. Development time from egg to pupa for larvae reared on the diet was ca. 22 days. In a sample of 29 adult females, mean life span and fecundity were 14 days and 694 eggs, respectively. Using the procedures described, a colony of S. trifolii has been maintained in the laboratory for over 2 yr and has completed more than 16 successive generations.