Chromic Oxide Indicator Method for Measuring Food Utilization in a Plant-Feeding Insect

The chromic oxide indicator method was used to determine percentage utilization of three diets prepared from lyophilized plant tissues for fifthtnstar larvae of the pale western cutworm. Because of the simplicity of the method and uniformity of results within each of the diets, the procedure can be used routinely in feeding trials with this insect, and perhaps others with biting and chewing mouth parts.