A Method for Rearing the Cabbage Looper, Trichoplusia ni, on a Meridic Diet2

In conjunction with a research program to determine some of the fundamental nutritional requirements of the cabbage looper, Trichoplusia ni (Hübner), a satisfactory meridic diet and culturing procedure has been developed. The purpose of this note is to describe the culturing technique employed to facilitate laboratory research with this species. Trichoplusia grows rapidly on the meridic diet and lends itself favorably to many biological and toxicological studies.