The effects of water, three carbohydrates (frutose, sucrose and glucose), and honey at two concentrations (5 and 10%) as adult food, and moisture content inside cages were studied on the egg laying capacity of the sugarcane borer, Diatraea saccharalis (Fabr.). The sugarcane borer does not need carbohydrates as food source to reach higher egg laying capacity or increase egg hatchability, since no difference was observed when carbohydrate or honey-fed adults were compared with water-fed ones. Moisture on the egg laying paper (inside the adult cages) was essential for fecundity and longevity; females kept on dry conditions showed reduced adult longevity, egg laying capacity and egg cluster size. No egg hatch was obtained.
Insecta; sugarcane borer; rearing techniques; biological control; water stress
