Abstract
The effects of temperature on the life history traits of mealybug Phenacoccus solenopsis were evaluated at 20°C, 25°C and 30°C on cotton. The P. solenopsis took maximum period 43.37 days to complete a generation at 20°C followed by 31.38 days at 25°C and 30.36 days at 30°C. Adult longevity was higher at 20°C, but declined at 25° and 30°C. The expectancy of life exhibited a continuous decline with advancement of age. Doubling time was lowest at 30°C (3.94 d) and higher at 20° and 25°C (7.97 and 4.23 d, respectively). Generation time decreased as temperature increased towards an optimal temperature. As temperature increased, age-specific survivorship (lx) declined more quickly, but agespecific fecundity (mx) peaked earlier. At 30°C, the age-specific net fecundity was the highest in the reproductive period, resulting in the highest intrinsic and finite rates of increase.
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