Biology of Corcyra cephalonica (Stainton) at different temperature levels

Abstract

The significantly shortest incubation period (2.67 days) of C. cephalonica was observed 35 0C temperature. The significantly lowest egg hatching (93.40 per cent), growth index (1.19) was observed at 35 0C and 20 0C temperatures, respectively. The significantly longer larval duration of C. cephalonica (52.33 days) was noticed at 20 0C temperature. The minimum instar duration (6.50 days) observed at 35 0C temperature and maximum at 20 0C temperature (8.72 days). The significantly lowest per cent pupation (62.38 per cent) was found at 20 0C temperature however, the highest percentage pupation (83.63 per cent) was noticed at 35 0C which was at par with the percentage pupation recorded at 30 0C temperature (82.54 per cent). The significantly longer life-cycle duration of male (70.08 days), female (72.20 days) and in general (71.13 days) was recorded at 20 0C temperature. The significantly lowest life-cycle duration in male (50.20 days), female (50.20 days) and in general (50.38 days) were recorded at 35 0C temperature. The significantly lowest adult emergence (69.00 per cent) was noticed at 20 0C temperature and highest at 30 0C (87.41 per cent). In general, highest adult longevity was observed at 20 0C temperature and shortest (11.34 days) at 35 0C temperature. The numerically lower fecundity (190.60 eggs) was observed at 20 0C temperature and highest (250.55 eggs) at 35 0C temperature.