Postembryonic development and reproduction inCorcyra cephalonica (Stainton) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) on exposure to eucalyptus and neem oil volatiles

Abstract

Postembryonic development and adult emergence ofCorcyra cephalonica (Stainton) were adversely affected in varying degrees when individuals were reared for the first 2 weeks of larval life or for a similar duration from the sixteenth day of their lives in an environment of eucalyptus oil volatiles. This was, however, not so in the progeny of parents exposed to these volatiles for only 5 min. Exposure of this pest to neem oil volatiles during larval stages for similar periods failed to produce such adverse effects. A marked decline in the reproductive potential, in terms of egg output and egg hatchability, of the moth was observed when the larvae were reared for the first 15 days in the presence of eucalyptus oil volatiles or when the parents were exposed for 5 min to such an environment during adult life. Thus, a "carry over" of the detrimental effect of the volatile(s) of this oil on the reproductive potential of the pyralid was indicated.