Abstract
Parapoynx crisonalis is an important pest of many aquatic vegetables including water chestnuts. Understanding the relationship between temperature variations and the population growth rates of P. crisonalis is essential to predicting its population dynamics in water chestnuts ponds. These relationships were examined in this study based on the age-stage, two-sex life table of P. crisonalis developed in the laboratory at 21, 24, 27, 30, 33 and 36°C. The results showed that the values of Sxj (age-stage–specific survival rate), fxj (age-stage-specific fecundity), lx (age specific survival rate) and mx (age-specific fecundity) increased as the temperature rose from 21 to 27°C, then decreased from 30 to 36°C. Temperature also had a significant effect on the net reproductive rate (R0), gross reproductive rate (GRR), intrinsic rate of increase (r) and finite rate of increase (λ). The value of these parameters were at low levels at 21, 33, and 36°C. Further, the r value decreased as the temperature rose from 24 to 30°C, while the GRR reached its highest level at 27°C. The results indicated that optimal growth and development of P. crisonalis occurred at temperatures between 24°C to 30°C when compared to the lowest temperature (21°C) and higher temperatures of 33°C and 36°C.
Highlights
In recent years, Parapoynx crisonalis (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) has become a persistant pest in water chestnut, Nymphoides and other aquatic crops, causing a considerable economic impact in China [1]
We used an array of six different rearing temperatures (21, 24, 27, 30, 33 and 36 ̊C) in the present study to examine the effects of varying temperatures on P. crisonalis
The temperature had a significant influence on the entire lifespan of males and females
Summary
Parapoynx crisonalis (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) has become a persistant pest in water chestnut, Nymphoides and other aquatic crops, causing a considerable economic impact in China [1]. The damage caused by P. crisonalis is a result of the larval stage feeding on the leaves of cultivated aquatic plants including water chestnut, water lily and Nymphoides. The body of the larvae is somewhat translucent, making early detection on the aquatic plants difficult. The species is distributed primarily in tropical/subtropical regions from Sri Lanka, India, Burma, Thailand, Indonesia, southern Japan and Australia, and has recently become established in Great Britain [3,4]. In China, Parapoynx crisonalis is mainly distributed in the PLOS ONE | DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0173380. In China, Parapoynx crisonalis is mainly distributed in the PLOS ONE | DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0173380 March 6, 2017
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
