A Novel, Low-Cost Coconut Fiber Larval Diet for Mass Rearing Anastrepha (Diptera: Tephritidae).

Mass rearing fruit flies of the genus Anastrepha for the sterile insect technique involves the use of artificial larval diets that commonly contain corn cob powder as a bulking agent. Corn cob powder varies in quality, and larval diets that contain it can be reaching at high temperatures (>34°C), which subsequently has a negative effect on pupal weight and adult survival. In addition, corn cob powder is susceptible to contamination by mycotoxins, which can inhibit larval development and cause high larval mortality.