Effects of Photoperiod and Temperature on Development and Overwintering of Spodoptera litura F. : Lepidoptera

• Published in: Applied entomology and zoology Vol. 11; no. 3; p. 248
• Main Authors: ISHIDA, Sachiko, MIYASHITA, Kazuki
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Heidelberg Springer Nature B.V 01.07.1976
• ISSN: 0003-6862; 1347-605X

Development at 20°and 25°C in the larvae and pupae of Spodoptera litura was not affected by photoperiod within a range from LD 10 : 14 to LD 16 : 8. The adults grown at 20°or 25°C under different photoperiods mated and produced eggs without interruption. The eggs also hatched in a short period irrespective of the photoperiod. When individuals grown at 20°or 25°C under different photoperiods were abruptly exposed to temperatures lower than 10°C at different developmental stages for certain periods, they suffered more or less high mortality even in an exposure to 10°C for 10 days, but a few could withstand an exposure to -2°C for 1 day. When young larvae grown at 25°C were exposed to temperature conditions declining step by step from 20°to 4°or -2°C and then rising also step by step to 25°C, some survived and completed development, taking 60-70 days. Based on these results, the possibility of overwintering of this insect in different regions of Japan was discussed.