DIET, TEMPERATURE, AND THE LOGISTIC MODEL OF DEVELOPMENTAL RATE FOR TRIBOLIUM CONFUSUM (COLEOPTERA: TENEBRIONIDAE)

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Abstract
The developmental rates of individual larvae of Tribolium confusum Jacquelin duVal were measured at five temperatures on three diets to quantify the interaction between these two environmental factors. No significant differences in survival were detected but developmental times were affected by both factors. A logistic equation accurately described the relationship between mean developmental rate and temperature for each diet. The variance in developmental rate was a linear function of the mean developmental rate, and the mean accounted for more of the differences in variance than diet or temperature.The effect of diet was greatest at the temperature which caused the highest developmental rate. It decreased as temperature decreased. This effect could be accounted for by varying the coefficient K, the asymptote of the logistic equation. The coefficient K showed a positive linear relationship to the lysine content of the diet. This coefficient may provide a compact and quantitative means of summarizing the interaction of environmental factors such as diet and temperature in the logistic model for the developmental rate of insects.