Population Growth of Anagasta kuehniella (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) at Constant and Alternating Temperatures

Abstract

Innate capacity for increase (rm) of the Mediterranean Hour moth, Anagasta kuehniella (Zeller), was higher at constant than at alternating temperatures because of shorter developmental times, earlier attainment of maximum fecundity, and greater survival of immature stages at constant temperatures. Increased amplitude of alternating temperatures decreased survival of immature stages, rates of development, and fecundity, and thus reduced rate of population growth. Preliminary mathematical models relating innate capacity for increase to temperature are developed. These are: rm=0.1583—0.00128 [33.33 e0.003048 (35.5-t°C)2] for constant temperatures and rm=0.1583—0.00128 [36.76 e0.003002 (34.6-t°C)2] for alternating temperatures. The average deviation of empirical from computed values is 3%. The efficacy of these models is restricted to temperatures favorable for reproduction.