Successful application of the sterile insect technique (SIT), an environmentally friendly control technology, mainly depends on mass-rearing of high-quality and high-performance insects. For mass-rearing of insects, the development of artificial diets is a key component. For optimal insect growth and development, sugar is an essential nutrient as it provides energy for flight. To date, few studies have analyzed the effects of different sugar contents on the biological parameters, including the flight capacity of Grapholita molesta, a globally important economic pest. Artificial diets with different sucrose contents (0, 15, and 30 g) were evaluated in two consecutive generations. The insect flight mill was used to study the G. molesta flight capacity. The larval and pupal periods, adult longevity and pupal weight of the first-generation of G. molesta reared on artificial diets with different sucrose contents were significantly different. Insects of the second-generation had a shorter larval period, greater adult longevity, and heavier larvae and pupae in the treatment with 30 g of sucrose than using 15 g. Among the males, strong, medium, and weak flight capacities were recorded and the weakest one was observed in the diet without sucrose. Results showed that the proportion of insects with highest flight capacity increased with increasing sucrose content in insects of the second generation. It can be concluded that sucrose content is a key determinant in the biological traits, including flight capacity of G. molesta, and should be taken into consideration during the mass-rearing of the pest for SIT.

Grapholita molesta is one of the most important fruit pests worldwide. Abamectin is a biological pesticide frequently used to control fruit borers like G. molesta in part owing to its translaminar properties. In this study, we characterized the toxicity of abamectin to G. molesta larvae using the diet incorporation method. The sublethal effects of abamectin on the development, reproduction, detoxification enzyme activity, and related gene expression of G. molesta were assessed. The results showed that the LC20 and LC50 values of the insecticide against G. molesta 72 h post-treatment were 1.17 mg L–1 and 5.85 mg L–1, whereas the LC20 and LC50 values 96 h post-treatment were 0.34 mg L–1 and 3.63 mg L–1. When compared to the control, sublethal concentrations of abamectin 1) significantly increased the mortality of the larvae, prepupae, and pupae of G. molesta, 2) prolonged the duration of 3rd to 5th instar larva, prepupal and pupal periods, 3) shortened the longevity of adults, and 4) reduced female fecundity. The enzymatic activity of glutathione S-transferase (GST) varied significantly after exposure to sublethal concentrations of abamectin, but the cytochrome P450 monooxygenases and carboxylesterase activity were not significantly affected. Thirteen of the 25 GST genes were significantly upregulated under different sublethal concentrations of abamectin. The combined findings increase our understanding of the effects of abamectin on G. molesta and the potential role of GSTs in the metabolic interactions of abamectin in this pest, and have applications for more rational and effective use of abamectin to control G. molesta.

The oriental fruit moth, Grapholita molesta (Busck) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) is one of the most severe fruit tree pests in China, causing huge economic losses to fruit production. So far, there are few detailed reports on the rearing protocols of G. molesta. In this study, we compared the longevity, 10-d fecundity, flight ability, and the activity of major energy metabolism enzymes in the flight muscles of G. molesta under three feeding regimes (supplement with sterile water, supplement with 10% honey solution and starvation) of the adult moths. The results showed that the longevity, 10-d fecundity, and flight parameters (cumulative flight distance and time, maximum flight distance and duration, and the average flight speed) of adult moths when supplemented with sterile water or honey solution were significantly higher than those of moths that were starved. There were no significant differences in the 10-d fecundity, flight parameters, and the activity of major energy metabolism enzymes of flight muscles between moths that were supplemented with sterile water or 10% honey solution. The flight muscles of G. molesta mainly used carbohydrates as an energy source when sterile water and honey solution were supplemented, and the moth mainly used lipids as an energy source under starvation. Considering the cost and potential for diet contamination during mass-rearing, supplying sterile water is considered a cost effective option for food substitution of adult G. molesta.