Abstract
ABSTRACT. The behaviour of postfeeding larvae of Ephestia kuehniella Zell. (Lepidoptera, Pyralidae) depends on environmental conditions. Long day and high larval density (LG) stimulate larvae to spin the outer envelope of the pupal cocoon which, in turn, accelerates pupal ecdysis. Constant darkness and isolation in a limited space (DS) inhibit spinning of the outer envelope, and cause extension of the wandering stage and a delay in pupation. This behaviour was also observed in larvae confined in the diet.In postfeeding LG larvae, an increase in ecdysteroid content coincides with spinning of the outer envelope. In DS larvae, which fail to spin the outer envelope, the ecdysteroid content remains low during the wandering stage, and rises to a prepupal peak after a considerable delay. Wandering larvae inserted into empty outer envelopes showed a premature rise of ecdysteroids, and it is thus concluded that sensory stimulation from the outer envelope is a cue promoting further development.
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