Effect of Temperature on Development Rate, Survival and Fecundity of Cotton Tipworm, Crocidosema-Plebejana Zeller (Lepidoptera, Tortricidae)

Abstract

C. plebejana were reared from egg to adult at a range of constant temperatures. At 10-degrees-C no immature stages survived. Development rates increased over the temperature range 14-34-degrees-C; these were simulated with a non-linear model. Females emerged before males. Fecundity decreased with increased rearing temperature as a direct result of reduced adult female weight. At 34-degrees-C development rate and survival were reduced and all eggs laid were infertile. Optimum temperature for population increase was 28-degrees-C. Validation of a non-linear model for development rate shows that the species of host-plant affects mean development rates of tipworm. Although 5.3 tipworm generations are possible on cotton annually, only one occurs; reasons for this are suggested.