EFFECTS OF TEMPERATURE ON WINTER MOTH PUPAE,OPEROPHTERA BRUMATA(LEPIDOPTERA: GEOMETRIDAE)

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Abstract
Pupae of winter moth,Operophtera brumata(L.) (Lepidoptera: Geometridae), from southwest England were subjected to nine temperature treatments in the laboratory. The pupal period of about 180 days was unaffected by changes in mean temperatures between 9.5 °C and 16.8 °C. Adult emergence was delayed at a mean temperature of 17.7 °C; no pupae survived at mean temperatures above this. These results are compared with conflicting statements in the literature about the relationship of length of the pupal period with temperature.No pupae died when exposed to temperature cycles of 20°–25 °C in the early part of the pupal period. The same temperatures near the time of adult emergence caused increased mortality. The duration of the pupal period was unaffected by exposure of pupae to 12 h (rather than diurnal) temperature cycles.