Cryptoblabes Gnidiella Research Articles

Understanding the Impact: Insect Pests of Millets and their Consequences on Yield Loss

Millets, crucial cereal crops in many regions, face significant threats from various insect pests, leading to substantial yield losses. Insect pests such as stem borers, leaf folders, aphids, midges, bugs, caterpillars, and termites inflict damage at different growth stages of millet plants. Stem borers like Chilo partellus and Sesamia inferens bore into stems, impairing structural integrity, while leaf folders such as Cnaphalocrocis medinalis create folded leaf shelters for feeding, causing extensive tissue damage. Aphids such as Rhopalosiphum maidis and shoot bugs like Peregrinus maidis extract sap, resulting in wilting and stunting of plants. Millet midges like Geromyia penniseti and Stenodiplosis sorghicola target reproductive structures, leading to grain abortion and reduced yield. Earhead pests like Cryptoblabes gnidiella and Helicoverpa armigera feed on developing grains, causing significant losses in quality and quantity. Additionally, termites like Odontotermes spp. and Microtermes spp. damage roots and stems, disrupting nutrient and water uptake causing plant death. Understanding the biology and ecology and implementing appropriate pest management strategies are crucial for mitigating yield losses and ensuring millet production sustainability.

Simultaneous mating disruption of two moth pests of the vineyard (Lobesia botrana and Cryptoblabes gnidiella) through a biodegradable sex pheromone dispenser

Lobesia botrana (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) and Cryptoblabes gnidiella (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) represent a threat to wine production in Mediterranean countries. In recent years, the development of new formulations promoted the spread of pheromone-based mating disruption (MD) as an effective tool for the management of several insect pests in different agricultural contexts. In this study, we investigated the efficacy of an experimental dispenser designed for simultaneous MD of these two pests. The biodegradable double-tube dispenser (Isonet® L CG-BIOX235) was tested for two years in two Italian wine-growing sites, the first in Apulia (Southern Italy), and the second in Tuscany (Central Italy). Isonet® L CG-BIOX235 efficacy was evaluated by testing different doses (i.e., 300, 400, and 500 dispensers/ha), on different varieties (i.e., Aglianico, Syrah, and Viognier), and comparing it with an untreated control. The MD performed using this dispenser significantly reduced the infestation of both L. botrana (i.e., percentage of infested bunches and number of nests per bunch) and C. gnidiella compared to the untreated control, although the occurrence of the latter fluctuated throughout the two-year trials. Overall, although our results underline the possibility of combining the pheromones of the two pests in a single dispenser for their simultaneous MD, they also highlight the need for further studies on some aspects of C. gnidiella biology and consequently improve the MD efficacy against this species.

Assessing the risk of invasion by a vineyard moth pest guild

Biological invasions are most effectively managed when identified in their early stages, which often hinges on robust surveillance programs. The recent invasion of the European grapevine moth (Lobesia botrana) in California suggests that viticultural areas in the western United States may face severe economic consequences from this and other Tortricid and Pyralid moth species if they were to establish. To gain insights into the risk these grapevine pests pose, we used occurrence records for L. botrana and four other moths native to Europe or the eastern United States and selected environmental variables to predict the extent of climatically suitable areas and potential pest co-occurrence along the West Coast of the United States. A suite of models was generated using MaxEnt with species-specific tuning of model settings. Overall, the results confirmed high suitability for L. botrana to establish across much of the study region, driven largely by high monthly variability in precipitation and low elevation. Two species were predicted to have intermediate suitability to establish over the study region (i.e., grape tortrix moth, Argyrotaenia ljungiana; grape berry moth, Paralobesia viteana), while two others had low suitability (i.e., European grape berry moth, Eupoecilia ambiguella; Christmas berry webworm, Cryptoblabes gnidiella). The highest predicted potential for co-occurrence was between L. botrana and P. viteana, accounting for 19% of the total viticulture area, followed by L. botrana and A. ljungiana for 11% of the study area. These results may help with the optimization of surveillance efforts by indicating which species or areas should be prioritized for the deployment of invasive pest detection programs with pheromone traps. Indeed, given the apparent potential for co-occurrence of multiple moth pests in certain areas, our results may inform where single or multi-lure traps should be deployed as a more cost-efficient monitoring tool.

Influence of fruit bagging technique on the morphometric and biochemical characteristics of two pomegranate varieties (Punica granatum L.)

The pomegranate tree is cultivated and its fruits consumed since ancient times. This tree is typical of the Mediterranean climate, with high thermal demands to mature properly. The main objective of this work was to study the influence of the fruit bagging technique on the morphometric and biochemical characteristics of the pomegranate fruits of two new varieties that are currently cultivated in the Southeast of Spain. The results indicated that the fruit bagging presented a significant effect on the weight, equatorial diameter, height and shape of the fruit, however, it did not show any influence on the peel thickness. No significant differences have been observed in the number of healthy fruits with and without bagging, however, the number of cracked fruits with Cryptoblabes gnidiella damage was higher for the non-bagged fruits. The fruit bagging presented a significant effect on the total soluble solids, maturity index, glucose, α-punicalagin, α + β-punicalagin and ellagic acid, but it did not show influence on pH, acidity, ABTS, DPPH, FRAP, total phenols, fructose, citric, malic, and quinic acid, β-punicalagin and anthocyanins. The internal fruit color was not affected by the bagging, although it did affect the external color of the fruit, and unevenly depending on the variety. Based on the results, it can be said that bagging can improve the quality of the fruit by reducing damage from pests and pathophysiology, and this benefit compensates or even exceeds the negative effects of bagging on peel color.

The population dynamic of honeydew moth [Cryptoblabes gnidiella Mill. (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)] in vineyard in Antalya

The present study was conducted to determine some biological criteria such as the first appearance of adults, peak date, and a number of generation for controlling honeydew moth in vineyard in Antalya province, Turkey during 2014 and 2015. In this study, the adult population was determined by pheromone traps and larval population was observed by counting the larvae on the grape clusters. It was determined that the pest adults were first seen in mid-April; however, the population was at very low levels until mid-June. It was demonstrated that the adult population of the pest could generate 4 peaks in June, July, August and September-October. The study results showed that the pest could be important in coastal vineyards. Besides, it has been showed that the effective temperatures sum based on the degree day model that was proposed in the literature could be employed to determine the honeydew moth adult and larval populations in vineyards.

Mating Disruption for Managing the Honeydew Moth, Cryptoblabes gnidiella (Millière), in Mediterranean Vineyards.

Simple SummaryCryptoblabes gnidiella has recently become one of the most feared pests in the Mediterranean grape-growing areas. Its expanding impact requires the development of effective strategies for its management. Since insecticide strategy has shown several weaknesses, we developed a pheromone-based mating disruption (MD) approach as a possible sustainable control technique for this pest. Between 2016 and 2019, field trials were carried out in two study sites in central and southern Italy, using experimental pheromone dispensers. The number of adult captures in pheromone-baited traps and the percentage of infestation recorded on ripening grapes were compared among plots treated with MD dispensers, insecticide-treated (no MD) plots, and untreated plots. Results highlighted that the application of MD may contribute to lowering the damage significantly. However, further studies aimed at clarifying the still little-known aspects of the biology and population dynamics of the honeydew moth are needed.The demand for a reduced use of pesticides in agriculture requires the development of specific strategies for managing arthropod pests. Among eco-friendly pest control tools, pheromone-based mating disruption (MD) is promising for controlling several key insect pests of economic importance, including many lepidopteran species. In our study, we evaluated an MD approach for managing the honeydew moth (HM), Cryptoblabes gnidiella, an emerging threat for the grapevine in the Mediterranean basin. The trials were carried out in two study sites, located in Tuscany (central Italy, years 2017–2019) and Apulia (southern Italy, years 2016 and 2018–2019), and by applying MD dispensers only in April, in April and July, and only in July. To evaluate the effects of MD, infested bunches (%), damaged area (%) per bunch, and number of living larvae per bunch were compared among plots covered with MD dispensers, insecticide-treated plots (Apulia only), and untreated control plots. Male flights were monitored using pheromone-baited sticky traps. Except for the sampling carried out in Tuscany in 2018, where HM infestation level was very low, a significant difference was recorded between MD and control plots, both in terms of HM damage caused to ripening grapes and/or number of living larvae per bunch. Overall, our study highlighted that MD, irrespective of the application timing, significantly reduced HM damage; the levels of control achieved here were similar to those obtained with the application of insecticides (no MD). However, MD used as stand-alone strategy was not able to provide complete pest control, which may instead be pursued by growers with an IPM approach.

Akdeniz ve Güney Doğu Anadolu Bölgelerinde Bağ Alanlarında Zararlı Olan Lepidoptera Türleri

Bağ yetiştiriciliğinde üretimi sınırlandıran en önemli etmenlerin başında salkımlarda zarar yapan zararlılar gelmektedir. Lobesia botrana (Denis & Schiffermüller) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) Akdeniz ve Güneydoğu Anadolu Bölgelerinde salkımlarda zarar yapan en önemli tür olarak bilinmektedir. Bu çalışmayla Akdeniz ve Güneydoğu Anadolu Bölgelerinde salkımlardaki zararlı diğer Lepidoptera türleri saptanmıştır. Yapılan örneklemelerde L. botrana, Cryptoblabes gnidiella (Milliere) ve Cadra figulilella (Gregson) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) türleri tespit edilmiştir. Akdeniz Bölgesi’nde L. botrana ve C. gnidiella, Güneydoğu Anadolu Bölgesinde ise L. botrana ve C. figulilella türlerine rastlanmıştır. L. botrana bölgede en yaygın tür olup C. gnidiella turunçgil üretim alanlarına yakın bahçelerde, C. figulilella ise daha çok yere dökülmüş veya sık salkımlara sahip çeşitlerin bulunduğu bağ alanlarında saptanmıştır.

Insect fauna of pests and their natural enemies inhabiting sorghum-panicles in Egypt

Sorghum panicles offer a very rich microenvironment for many insect pest species and their natural enemies. Thirty arthropod species belonging to 28 families, pertaining to 9 orders were obtained from sorghum panicles planted in Sohag Governorate, Egypt, during the 3 successive seasons of 2016–2018. Out of these species were 14 pests, 16 predators, and 3 parasitoids. Lepidopteran and hemipteran pests were the most dominant species-infested sorghum-panicles during the mature stages of the panicles. Three microlepidopteran pests, the noctuid, Eublemma (Autoba) gayneri (Roth.); the pyralid, Cryptoblabes gnidiella Millière, and the cosmopterigid, Pyroderces simplex Walsingham, were recorded as major pest species infesting sorghum panicles in Sohag Governorate. The dipteran parasitoid species, Nemorilla floralis (Fallen) (Tachinidae) emerged from the pupae of the E. gayneri and C. gnidiella, while the hymenopteran parasitoid, Brachymeria aegyptiaca (Chalcididae) was obtained from the pupae of all the studied microlepidopteran pests. Spiders, coccinellids, and Orius spp. were the dominant predators collected form panicles. Post-harvest, larvae, and pupae of lepidopteran pests, especially P. simplex recorded (147, 96, and 79 larvae) and (47, 30, and 73 pupae)/10 panicles in 2016, 2017, and 2018 seasons, respectively.

What do we really know on the harmfulness of Cryptoblabes gnidiella (Millière) to grapevine? From ecology to pest management

Though the honeydew moth Cryptoblabes gnidiella (HM) was never deemed an important pest of grapevine in the Mediterranean area, recent observations led to consider this species as a primary carpophagous moth, as always believed in South America. Larval feeding accounts for a progressive grape decay due to superficial erosion of rachis and berry peduncles, with vascular system breakdown and proliferation of pathogenic rotting agents and saprophagous insects. Recent observations carried out over a three-year period (2015–2017) in Apulian vineyards (Southern Italy) confirmed that this moth pest shows four main flight periods per year, with relatively low captures from the beginning of May to the end of July and their gradual but substantial increase from beginning of August onwards. The presence on the bunches of an extremely small preimaginal population of HM in May, June and July, suggests the existence of alternative hosts for oviposition and offspring development in this timeframe. Overall, herein we summarized current knowledge available on biology, ecology and control of HM, adding new information on the relationships existing between the moth and the grapevine as well. In the final section, current and perspective control strategies to manage HM are outlined.

Creating a degree-day model of honeydew moth [Cryptoblabes gnidiella (Mill., 1867) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)] in pomegranate orchards

Bu calisma; 2008-2010 ve 2012-2013 yillarinda Mersin iline bagli Tarsus ilcesindeki nar bahcesinde bes yil sureyle yurutulmustur. Calismada; Portakal guvesi [ Cryptoblabes gnidiella (Mill.,1867) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)]’nin mucadelesinde daha etkin ve basarili olabilmek icin gun-derece modeline esas etkili sicakliklar toplami degerleri belirlenmistir. Bu amacla fenolojik donem, eseysel cekici tuzak, etkili sicakliklar toplami (EST), yumurta acilim zamani ve meyve kontrolu kriterlerinden yararlanilmistir. Bu calisma sonuclarina gore; C. gnidiella ’nin gun-derece (g.d.) modeline esas EST degerleri; tuzak asim zamani icin 80 g.d., yumurta acilim zamanlarinda birinci dol 250 g.d., ikinci dol 800 g.d., ucuncu dol 1375 g.d., dorduncu dol 1930 g.d. ve besinci dol icin ise 2500 g.d. olarak belirlenmistir. Ancak, mucadele amacli yapilacak calismalarda C. gnidiella ’nin kislaktan gelen dol populasyonu cok dusuk oldugundan birinci dol, hasat sonrasina denk geldiginden de besinci dolun duzenli olarak takip edilmesinin ve uygulamanin da buna gore yapilmasinin yararli olacagi dusunulmektedir.

Monitoring the Honeydew Moth, Cryptoblabes gnidiella Millière (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) in Pomegranate Orchards in the Northwestern Region of Egypt.

Cryptoblabes gnidiella is a polyphagous serious species attacking fruits/pods, leaves and stems. C. gnidiella population level in a pomegranate orchard were studied during two successive years (2015 and 2016) at El-Alamain district in the Northwestern of Egypt (Matrouh Governorate). Moths started to emerge two weeks earlier in 2016 (1st half of March) than 2015 season (2nd half of March). Moths` activity continued until the 2nd half of November 2016 or 1st half of December 2015. Three peaks were detected during the 1st half of May, 1st half of July and 2nd half of August, 2015. But four peaks were detected during 2016 season on the 1st half of May, 2nd half of June, 1st half of August and 2nd half of September. Summer months recorded the maximum flight activity, (5.01 - 6.05 moths). Spring and autumn recorded 1.30 - 1.12 moths and 1.63 - 0.72 moths. During winter, moths almost ceased to emerge (0.02 - 0.06 moths). Data showed one brood of the insect activity from mid-March to late November, with only one distinct peak of moth activity during August. The seasonal cycle consisted of an activity season prevailing of about 9 months (from March to November) followed by an inactive season of about 3 months. The majority of moths emerged from the southeastern direction with the most preferred from the south (38.93 – 47.63%), east (40.40 – 40.43%), and least from west (10.64 - 12.62%) and North (1.30 – 8.05%) directions in two successive seasons 2015 and 2016. The direct effect “simple correlation: r” of the temperature (Day Maximum Temp., Day Minimum Temp. and Day Mean Temp.) on the moth activity was significant during the two seasons of study, while the Day Relative Humidity was less effective.

Alternative Non-Conventional and Environmentally Safe Horticultural, Mechanical and Local Treatments to Control Cryptoblabes gnidiella Millière (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) in Pomegranate Orchards in the Northwestern Region of Egypt

Alternative Non-Conventional and Environmentally Safe Horticultural, Mechanical and Local Treatments to Control Cryptoblabes gnidiella Millière (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) in Pomegranate Orchards in the Northwestern Region of Egypt

Honeydew Moth Cryptoblabes gnidiella (MILLIÈRE, 1867) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae): an adventive species frequently imported with fruit to Poland

Abstract Cryptoblabes gnidiella is an opportunistic species native to the Mediterranean region. This species has been reported from several dozen host plants, including many cultivated plants, especially fruit (e.g. grapes, lemons or pomegranates). It is considered a serious pest together with accompanying insects such as mealybugs. It is also suspected of being a vector of certain pathogens. The Honeydew Moth constitutes a threat not only to crops in the Mediterranean basin but is also becoming a problem in other parts of the world with a suitable climate, where this species has been accidentally imported. The records given here are from the time of year when pomegranates are commonly available on supermarket shelves. These data show that the import of this species is quite common and that the lack of such information hitherto may be due to its having been overlooked. This paper presents the first records of Cryptoblabes gnidiella in Poland.

Uso da técnica de confusão sexual no manejo populacional de Cryptoblabes gnidiella (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) em videira

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a eficiência da técnica de confusão sexual, com o feromônio sexual sintético composto (Z)-11-hexadecenal (Z11-16: Ald) a 1,8% e (Z)-13-octadecenal (Z13-18: Ald) a 1,8%, no controle da população de traça-dos-cachos, Cryptoblabes gnidiella (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), em cultivares de videiras (Vitis vinifera) destinadas à produção de vinhos. Os experimentos foram realizados em duas localidades na região do Vale do São Francisco, em áreas comerciais de produção de uva para processamento, com as cultivares Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, Tempranillo e Chenin Blanc. Os tratamentos avaliados foram os seguintes: confusão sexual com uso de liberadores Splat ("specialized pheromone and lure application technology"), aplicados com pistola manual a 500 pontos por hectare (2 g por ponto); e testemunha sem aplicação. O efeito da técnica sobre os adultos de C. gnidiella foi avaliado com uso de armadilha tipo Delta, iscada em um septo com 2 g de feromônio sintético da mesma formulação. Os danos nos cachos foram avaliados à colheita. O uso da técnica de confusão sexual reduziu a captura de adultos de C. gnidiella em mais de 59% na 'Tempranillo', 68% na 'Chenin Blanc', 80% na 'Cabernet Sauvignon' e 97% na 'Petit Verdot'. À época da colheita, os danos nos frutos foram reduzidos de 65 a 100% nas áreas tratadas. O feromônio sexual sintético é eficaz para reduzir o acasalamento de C. gnidiella em vinhedos, com o uso da técnica de confusão sexual.

Relationship between male moths of Cryptoblabes gnidiella (Millière) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) caught in sex pheromone traps and cumulative degree-days in vineyards in southern Uruguay

Cryptoblabes gnidiella (Millière) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) has been known in Uruguay for 30 years and only in vineyards, despite being polyphagous. In recent years, this pest has caused sporadic but serious damage on some grapevine cultivars. Understanding the insect’s phenology and developing a monitoring program are essential aspects of integrated pest management. We monitored males using sexual pheromone traps on four cultivars of vine, Pinot noir, Tannat, Gewürztraminer, and Cabernet Sauvignon, in two vine-growing establishments in the Department of Canelones and compiled data on the accumulated effective temperatures for the southern area of Uruguay. We determined that this species undergoes three generations per year and overwinters without diapause as larvae on dried grapes remaining after harvest. Using the proportion of cumulative male moths caught from December to May from 2003–2007 on the four cultivars and the sum of effective temperatures above two previously-published lower-threshold temperatures for development, 12.26°C and 13°C, statistically significant logistic models were estimated. Predictions based on the resulting models suggested that they would be acceptable tools to improve the efficiency of integrated management of this pest in Uruguay.

Formate Analogs as Antagonists of the Sex Pheromone of the Honeydew Moth, Cryptoblabes gnidiella: Electrophysiological, Behavioral and Field Evidence

Cryptoblabes gnidiella Milliére (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) is an economically important exotic pest of vineyards in Southern Brazil and Uruguay. The sex pheromone of C. gnidiella was identified as a mixture of (Z)-11-hexadecenal and (Z)-13-octadecenal, and has been used to monitor populations of this pest in Israel. The development of mating disruption for this species may be hampered by the chemical instability of the natural pheromone components. Therefore, studies on more stable pheromone analogs may provide tools for a control strategy based on behavior-modifying chemicals. We report here the electrophysiological and behavioral responses of C. gnidiella males to (Z)-9-tetradecenyl formate and (Z)-11-hexadecenyl formate, structural analogs of the pheromone components. In gas chromatography-electroantennogram detection (GC-EAD) studies, both analogs elicited responses from C. gnidiella male antennae. Pre-exposure to the formates did not affect the subsequent EAD responses to the natural pheromone components. The formates acted as pheromone antagonists in wind tunnel tests, inhibiting the responses of males toward both synthetic pheromone and calling females. In the field, captures of males in pheromone-baited traps decreased, in a dose-response pattern, when different amount of formates were added to the pheromone. These pheromone antagonists, thus, are potentially useful as mating disruptants for C. gnidiella in commercial vineyards.

SOME FACTORS AFFECTING THE SUSCEPTIBILITY OF FOUR STORED GARLIC CULTIVARS TO INFESTATION WITH CRYPTOBLABES GNIDIELLA MILLIERE

The honey dew moth Cryptoblabes gnidiella Milliere is one of the most important insect pests of stored garlic. Data revealed that, Egyptian (Baladi) cultivar was the least susceptible to attacke by this insect . After four months of storage, the infestation percentages were 21.68% for Egyptian (Balady) cultivar as compared to 32.39% for Sids 40, 44.88% for American and 70.99% for Chinese cultivar. The oil content of the four garlic cultivars were measured along four months of storage. Data showed that the four cultivars were differed significantly in this respect. The highest weight of volatile oils, 436.8 mg/100g was fined in the Egyptian cultivar whereas the Chinese cultivar had 340.6 mg/100g. The correlation coefficients “r” values showed highly significant and negative relationship between infestation percentages and volatile oils weight (mg) . The main components of the volatile oils of the tested four garlic cultivars were separated by GC- MS analysis. Nine sulfur compounds were separated and identified, the major compound was Diallyl trisulfide (i.e. 49.82, 46.23, 46.17 and 44.89%) for Egyptian, Sids 40, Chinese and American cultivars, respectively. Allyl methyl trisulfide ranged from 11.40 to 23.15%. On the other hand percentage of total soluble solids (TSS%) for the four cultivars were almost the same trend during the storage period extended for four months or slightly increased. These data indicate the importance of the type and quantity of volatile oils and its component in protection of stored garlic from infestation by C. gnidiella.

Ocorrência de Cryptoblabes gnidiella (Millière) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) relacionada à fenologia da videira em Bento Gonçalves, RS

The aim of this study was to record and compare the occurrence of adults and immature stages of honeydew moth, Cryptoblabes gnidiella (Millière), related with grape phenology in two Pinot Noir (Vitis vinifera) vineyards in Bento Gonçalves (29 degrees 10'S 51 degrees 32'O), RS, during 2004-2005. Fortnightly, immature stages were monitored in the clusters and grapevine branches, while the adults, in delta traps baited with synthetic sex pheromone. There were significant differences in the number of individuals in different phenologic stages of vineyards. The highest catches of honeydew moth were registered in the period of dry clusters. The permanence of dry cluster after harvest, could serve as refuge for C. gnidiella immatures between seasons.

Pest management programmes in vineyards using male mating disruption

Israeli vine growers have been reluctant to adopt the mating disruption technique for control of the European vine moth, Lobesia botrana Den. & Schiff. Since the chemically controlled honeydew moth, Cryptoblabes gnidiella Mill., coexists with the European vine moth, growers have maintained that the use of mating disruption would fail to bring about a significant reduction in pesticide use. In this study, the efficacy of mating disruption techniques against C. gnidiella was tested, as well as the effect of these methods on pesticide use and damage to clusters when the method was employed against both of the pests in wine grapes. Comparisons were made between plots treated with (1) L. botrana mating disruption pheromone, (2) L. botrana and C. gnidiella mating disruption pheromones and (3) control plots. A significant difference in the number of clusters infested with the developmental stages of the moths was seen between pheromone-treated plots and controls, while no such difference was observed between plots treated with one versus two pheromones. A similar pattern was observed in the number of insecticide applications; the greatest number of applications was used in control plots, followed by plots treated with L. botrana mating disruption pheromone and by plots treated with pheromones against both pests, in which no pesticides were applied.

Biologia comparada e exigências térmicas de Cryptoblabes gnidiella em dieta artificial

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o desenvolvimento de Cryptoblabes gnidiella em dietas artificiais e conhecer as exigências térmicas da espécie. A biologia do inseto foi estudada em laboratório (26±1ºC, umidade relativa de 70±10% e fotófase de 14 horas), em três dietas artificiais à base de feijão carioca (D1), feijão branco e "pellet" de alfafa (D2) e feijão branco (D3). As exigências térmicas das fases de desenvolvimento foram determinadas em laboratório, tendo-se criado o inseto na D2, nas temperaturas de 18ºC, 22ºC, 26ºC e 30ºC, umidade relativa de 70±10% e fotófase de 14 horas. Com base na tabela de vida de fertilidade, a D2 foi a mais adequada para criação de C. gnidiella em laboratório e proporcionou uma viabilidade total de 53,30%. A temperatura base e a constante térmica para o ciclo total (ovo-adulto) foram 12,26ºC e 569,91 graus-dia, respectivamente. Com base nas exigências térmicas, estimou-se que o inseto completa 3,25 gerações anuais em Caxias do Sul, RS e 9,19 em Petrolina, PE.