Biology, temperature thresholds, and degree-day requirements for development of the cucumber moth, Diaphania indica, under laboratory conditions.

Murad Wilfried Hofmann

doi:10.1093/jis/14.1.61

Abstract

The cucumber moth, Diaphania indica (Saunders) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), is a tropical and sub-tropical cucurbits pest and a key greenhouse pest in the Jiroft region of Iran. In this study, the effect of different temperatures on the development of this pest was investigated on cucumber, Cucumis sativus L. (Cucurbitales: Cucurbitaceae), leaves in a growth chamber at various constant temperatures (20, 25, 30, and 35ºC). The results indicated that the development period from egg to adult death at the decreased with increasing temperature. Mortality was greatest at 35ºC. Based on a linear model, the highest and lowest temperature thresholds were recorded for male insects and pupal stage as 16ºC and 9.04ºC with thermal constants of 100 and 144.92 degree days, respectively.

Highlights

The cucumber moth, Diaphania indica (Saunders) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), is a polyphagous pest and is serious on cucurbits
Biological study of D. indica at different temperatures To study the biology of D. indica, 60 newly deposited eggs in three replications were separately placed in Petri dishes and kept at four constant temperatures (20, 25, 30 and 35°C) at 65 ± 5% RH and with a 16:8 L:D until eclosion
Effect of temperature on biological parameters of D. indica The results showed that temperature had a significant effect on the developmental time of different immature and adult stages, i.e., egg, 1st instar larvae, 2nd instar larvae, 3rd instar larvae, 4th instar larvae, 5th instar larvae, pre-pupa, pupa, adult, male adult, female adult, total developmental period of larvae, egg to adult emergence, and egg to adult death

Summary

Introduction

The cucumber moth, Diaphania indica (Saunders) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), is a polyphagous pest and is serious on cucurbits. Biological study of D. indica at different temperatures To study the biology of D. indica, 60 newly deposited (one-day-old) eggs in three replications were separately placed in Petri dishes and kept at four constant temperatures (20, 25, 30 and 35°C) at 65 ± 5% RH and with a 16:8 L:D until eclosion.

Results

Conclusion