Laboratory handling and rearing of early instar porina larvae from eggs

Mass rearing Wiseana (porina) species, a major endemic insect pest in New Zealand pastures, has proved challenging for research and pest management and has presented problems over several decades in the laboratory. Researchers have acknowledged that handling the eggs and first instar larvae are of critical importance during laboratory rearing. A simple method is presented that improves survival of early instar porina larvae. Eggs of three porina species (W. cervinata, W. copularis, W. umbraculata) hatched faster at 22?C than at 15?C.