Acta Entomologica Sinica (2015) 58, 160-168

Kun Xing, Fei Zhao, Ju-Cai Han, Chun-Sen Ma (2015)
Effects of temperature fluctuation on life history traits of different developmental stages of the diamonback moth, Plutella xylostella (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae)
Acta Entomologica Sinica 58 (2), 160-168
Abstract:
Aim
Diurnal temperature fluctuation has very important influences on the development, survival, fecundity reproduction and longevity of insects. Previous researches have focused on constant temperatures. The constant temperature design is unable to reflect the diurnal temperature fluctuation in the nature, and could not quantitatively analyse the difference between fluctuating and constant temperature.
Methods
We investigated the effects of different diurnal alternating temperature fluctuations with the same mean temperature (25℃, 25±2℃, 25±4℃, 25±6℃, 25±8℃, 25±10℃, 25±12℃) on the life history parameters of different developmental stages in a worldwide cruciferous pest, the diamondback moth (DBM), Plutella xylostella (L.).
Results
The results showed that different temperature fluctuations had significant effects on the development, survival, longevity and fecundity reproduction of P. xylostella at different developmental stages. The life history parameters of P. xylostella at 25±2℃, 25±4℃ and, 25±6℃ were similar with those at the constant temperature (25℃), but there fluctuating temperature of 25±10℃ and 25±12℃were had significantly negative effects on the life history parameters of P. xylostella at 25±10℃, 25±12℃.
Conclusion
We found that wide diurnal temperature fluctuations have significant effects on P. xylostella diamondback moth, and suitable night low temperatures decreased the disadvantage effects of diamondback moth after daily high temperature stress on P. xylostella. Diurnal temperature fluctuations, as an important determinant influence factor of insects, should be considered into the predicting model of insect population dynamics, which will improve the accuracy of insect forecast in the field and really reflect the effects of diurnal temperature fluctuations on insect ecology.
(The abstract has been supplied by the author or ISPI and is excluded from the Creative Commons licence.)
(original language: Chinese)
Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Chun-Sen Ma

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
general biology - morphology - evolution
environment - cropping system/rotation

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Plutella xylostella	Cabbage (Brassica oleracea)	China (NW)