NUTRITIONAL STUDIES OF EASTERN SPRUCE BUDWORM (LEPIDOPTERA: TORTRICIDAE): I. SOLUBLE SUGARS

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Abstract
An absolute requirement for sugar could not be shown but laboratory rearing experiments using artificial diets have demonstrated a definite increase in weight of adult spruce budworm (Choristoneura fumiferana (Clem.) Freeman) with increasing dietary levels of certain sugars. Males exhibit a threshold of 0.9% soluble sugars above which higher sugar levels produce no further increases in size. Females respond with an increase in size up to 4.0%, the highest level tested. Generally, faster development rates accompany greater mature weights on diets with higher nutrient levels.Maltose, raffinose, glucose, sorbitol, sucrose, and fructose are all good sugar sources. Galactose and trehalose are only slightly inferior. Lactose, ribose, melibiose, xylose, mannose, arabinose, and melezitose in the diet are little different from the sugarless control. Sorbose is somewhat inhibitory.Results of transfer experiments confirm the importance of sugar particularly during late larval development. They also indicate that a high protein diet during early instars has a significant effect on development rates. These results suggest that departure from the normal synchrony of development in the insect and its host can affect both rate of development and mature size of the insect.