Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-r5fsc Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-25T21:43:30.949Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Mortality of Spodoptera littoralis (Boisduval) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) non-freezing temperatures

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 July 2009

G.W. Miller
Affiliation:
Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries & Food, Plant Pathology Laboratory, Harpenden, Herts. AL5 2BD, U.K.

Abstract

Eggs, larvae and pupae of Spodoptera littoralis (Boisd.) were exposed to five non-freezing constant temperatures (13°, 10°, 7°, 4° and 1°C). The period of exposure required to kill eggs and larvae, and to affect pupae seriously, was determined at each temperature. Distinction was made between dead pupae and pupae which were not killed but developed into deformed adults incapable of mating or laying fertile eggs. Probit line analysis was applied to the mortality results and response lines were plotted for all developmental stages at each constant temperature. Observed 100% mortality and computed LD 99 estimates showed that at all temperatures, except 1°C, resistance to cold was minimal at the egg stage, increased in maturing larvae and was at a maximum in the pupal stage, so that the order of the LD 99 values was: pupae (dead)>larvae>eggs. At 1°C the order was: pupae (dead)>30-day-old larvae>eggs>15-day-old and 1-day-old larvae. The LD 99 (days) value decreased with decreasing temperature for all larval stages and for pupae; and for eggs it was greater at 1°C than at 4° and 7°C.

Type
Original Articles
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1977

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Baker, C. R. B.. (1969). Use of a non-absorbent barrier in rearing pupae.—Entomologist. 102, 39.Google Scholar
Baker, C. R. B.. & Miller, G. W.. (1974). Some effects of temperature and larval food on the development of Spodoptera littoralis (Boisd.) (Lep., Noctuidae).—Bull. ent. Res. 63, 495511.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Balachowsky, A. S.. (1972). Entomologie appliquée à l'agriculture, tome II. Lépidoptéres. Deuxiéme volume, 1414. Paris, Masson et Cie.Google Scholar
Daumal, J.., Jourdheuil, P.. & Tomassohe, R.. (1974). Variabilité des effets létaux des basses températures en fonction du stade de dé;veloppement embryonnaire auquel elles sont appliquées chez la pyrale de la farine (Anagasta kuhniella Zell., Lepid., Pyralidae). —Ann. Zool. Ecol. anim. 6 2, 229243.Google Scholar
Finney, D. J.. (1971). Probit analysis.—3rd edn., 350 pp. London, Cambridge University Press.Google Scholar
Hussey, N. W.. & Gostick, K. G.. (1964). Effects of low-temperature storage on the eggs of Spodoptera littoralis (Boisd.).—Nature, Lond. 203, 323342.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Powell, D. F.. & Gostick, K. G.. (1971). Control of Spodoptera littoralis (Boisd.), Myzus persicae (Sulz.) and Tetranchyus urticae (Koch) by cold storage and fumigation.—Bull. ent. Res. 61, 235240.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Thran, P. & Broekhuizen, S.. (1965). Agro-Climatic Atlas of Europe.—400 pp. Wageningen,Elsevier Publishing Co.Google Scholar
Valletta, A.. (1973). The moths of the Maltese Islands.—118 pp. Malta, Progress Press.Google Scholar