Feeding indices and enzymatic activities of carob moth Ectomyelois ceratoniae (Zeller) (Lepidoptera: pyrallidae) on two commercial pistachio cultivars and an artificial diet

Feeding indices and enzymatic activities of Ectomyelois ceratoniae (Zeller) were studied in a growth chamber under controlled conditions (29 ± 2 °C, relative humidity of 70 ± 5% and a photoperiod of 16:8 (L:D) hours) on two commercial Pistachio cultivars (Akbari and Kalequchi) and an artificial diet. Feeding indices of E. ceratoniae larvae differed significantly on three hosts (P < 0.05). The relative consumption rate was calculated to be 5.36 ± 0.009, 11.10 ± 1.49 and 10.631 ± 0.599 (mg/mg/day) on artificial diet, Akbari and Kalequchi cultivars, respectively. Carob moth larvae reared on Akbari cultivar showed the highest efficiency of conversion of digested food (ECD) (5.64 ± 0.43). The highest amount of efficiency of conversion of ingested food (ECI) was obtained on artificial diet but approximate digestibility (AD) was the lowest on this diet. The highest enzymatic activities of alpha-amylase, general proteases and lipase were observed in the midgut of larvae reared on artificial diet. Total protein and lipid value were highest in larvae that were reared on artificial diet.