Thermal energy requirement for tobacco caterpillar Spodoptera litura (Fabricius) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) development on artificial diet

Abstract

Development and survival of tobacco caterpillar Spodoptera litura larvae and pupae were studied at each of seven constant temperatures, 15±1, 18±1, 21±1, 24±1, 27±1, 30±1 and 33±1 C, in incubators. Oviposition, incubation, larval and pupal periods were recorded at each of the temperatures. The survival from 1st instar to adult emergence ranged between a maximum of 60% at 24 C and 30% at each of 18 C and 33 C. Developmental duration of different larval instars and pupae declined with an increase in temperature from 15 to 33 C. The optimum temperature for larval and pupal survival in S. litura on artificial diet was observed to be 24 C. On the other hand, optimum temperature range for oviposition was observed to be 27-33 C. The relationship between temperature (T) and development rate (r) was established using linear regression to estimate the thermal constant (K) and development threshold (T0). Thermal constant for 1st to 6th larval instars were computed as 76.9, 90.9, 125, 83.3, 62.5, 90.9 and 200 degree days (DD), respectively, with corresponding development thresholds as 12.8, 11.7, 9.8, 10.3, 10, 10.9 and 13.2oC. Single developmental threshold for larval stage was computed as 13 C. These thermal constants and development thresholds can be used in developing mechanistic population simulation model, which in turn will facilitate the assessment of climate change impact on the pest.