Effect of temperature on the oviposition, longevity and mating of codling moth, Cydia pomonella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae)

The effect of temperature on the oviposition, longevity and mating of codling moth, Cydia pomonella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) was investigated. The preoviposition development time ranged from 2.54 days at 21°C to 7.54 days at 15°C. The lower threshold temperature for the preoviposition period was 11.4°C with a thermal requirement of 22.8 degree-days. Moths did not mate and few eggs were laid at temperatures below 15°C or above 27°C. The mean adult longevity of summer moths, from pupae of larvae leaving fruit in December through to February, was 11.7 days when exposed to fluctuating temperatures (range 14.4-37.5°C) and 22.5 days at constant temperatures of 15,17,19 and 21 ± 1°C. At constant and fluctuating temperatures longevity decreased with increasing temperature; thus spring moths lived longer than summer moths. Significantly more eggs were laid by summer moths at constant, compared to fluctuating temperatures. At fluctuating temperatures the mean number of eggs per female was 92.6 for spring moths and 121.2 for summer moths.Articl