Optimization of a Diet for the Greater Wax Moth (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) Using Full Factorial and Mixture Design

Abstract Diet optimization is an important process to increase the efficiency of rearing insects and can be used develop high-quality with specific fitness life-history traits. Galleria mellonella (L.), greater wax moth, widely in research, microbiology assays, as pet food, host for biological control agents. Although artificial diets G. have been researched optimized decades, preliminary tests indicated that predominantly utilized diet could improved yield larger larvae a short development time. We design experiments (DOE) approach incorporated multiple full factorial designs final mixture test qualitative quantitative effects ingredients their interactions on larval mass survival. Analysis 17 ingredient variations 35 formulations yielded supported high survival 2.4-fold body than standard diet. This study demonstrates importance statistical DOE guiding insect improve traits represent quality reared insects.