Adults of the Caribbean fruit fly, Anastrepha suspensa (Loew) were fed on three diets in order to identify one that was optimal for adult longevity, fecundity and egg viability. The diets were a dry mixture of Brewer's (hydrolysed) yeast and sugar (Diet A); Brewer's yeast, sugar, agar, and water (Diet B); and a dry commercial diet (BioServ) with Brewer's yeast, sugar and casein (Diet C). There were no significant differences in per cent adult mortality among the three diets. However, the longevity of females in Diet C was significantly reduced in comparison to that of females fed the other two diets. Diet C was also suboptimal for fecundity and egg viability. Diets A and B were optimal for and had similar effects on all parameters evaluated in this study. However, Diet A appeared to be the best if preparation time and ingredient costs are considered along with biological effects.
