Abstract

LLANDERAL-CAZARES, Celina et al. Red worm establishment on greenhouse-grown agave plants. Acta Zool. Mex [online]. 2010, vol.26, n.1, pp.25-31. ISSN 2448-8445.

As an attempt to intensively produce the agave red worm Comadia redtenbacheri Hamm., there were tested six different infestation conditions with the goal to accomplish the establishment of larvae placed at the base of young agave plants under greenhouse conditions. In order to encourage infestation, there were used densities of 25, 50 and 100 larvae of third and fourth developing stage with an average weight of 55 milligrams, on two different irrigation conditions under intervals of one and two weeks, to keep vigorous plants and positive ground moisture conditions. Data were analyzed using logistical regression to identify the conditions that favor the best establishment rates. Results suggest that the highest establishment rate is given by the most spread irrigation condition (3 weeks) and lowest population densities (25 larvae for plant); however, the best larval weight was observed under the weekly irrigation scenario.

Keywords : Comadia redtenbacheri; Agave salmiana; edible insects; entomophagia.

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