Peer review

Highly significant differences in the weight of Sitotroga cerealella (Olivier) moths were found when the larvae were reared in strains of corn with endosperm differing in levels of amylose. No significant difference was found between kernels with respect to the number of moths emerging per kernel. However, in another test where moths had a free choice of a strain for oviposition, there was a highly significant difference. The first, last, and average day of moth emergence varied among the different strains of corn. The life span of moths varied with males living a shorter period than did the female moths. The difference in length of life of the same sex between the different strains of corn was not significant. No significant difference was indicated in the number of eggs produced when moths in the larval stage were reared in different strains of corn. When moths were collected from certain strains and used to infest previously non infested cars at 6-week intervals, a decreasing rate of infestation was obtained in some strains of corn. When moths were switched from one strain to another experimental strain, the response was such that it was evident that the food source of the 1st-generation larva caused the response rather than the food source of the parental larva.

Text in English