Cold hardiness of Helicoverpa zea (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) pupae

An insect's cold hardiness affects its potential to overwinter and outbreak in different geographic regions. In this study, we characterized the response of Helicoverpa zea (Boddie) pupae to low temperatures by using controlled laboratory measurements of supercooling point (SCP), lower lethal temperature (LT(50)), and lower lethal time (LLTime). The impact of diapause, acclimation, and sex on the cold hardiness of the pupae also were evaluated. Sex did not significantly affect the SCP, LT(50), or LLTime. However, the mean SCP of diapausing pupae (-19.3°C) was significantly lower than nondiapausing pupae (-16.4°C). Acclimation of nondiapausing pupae to constant temperatures from 10 to 20°C before supercooling also produced a significantly lower SCP than nondiapausing pupae held at 25°C. The LT(50)s of nondiapausing and diapausing were not significantly different, but confirmed that H. zea pupae are chill-intolerant because these lethal temperatures are warmer than the corresponding mean SCPs. Diapausing pupae survived longer than nondiapausing pupae at the same, constant, cold temperatures, a finding consistent with the SCP results. Both of these results suggest enhanced cold hardiness in diapausing pupae. When laboratory results were compared with field temperatures and observed distributions of H. zea in the contiguous United States, the laboratory results corroborated what is currently perceived to be the northern overwintering limit of H. zea; approximately the 40(th) parallel. Moreover, our research showed that areas north of this limit are lethal to overwintering pupae not because of low temperature extremes, but rather the length of time spent at near-zero temperatures.     

寄主植物对棉铃虫越冬蛹抗寒能力的影响

通过对滞育蛹过冷却点的测定 ,初步明确寄主对棉铃虫Helicoverpaarmigera的越冬抗寒性有影响 ,幼虫取食棉花时产生的滞育蛹的过冷却点低于取食玉米的滞育蛹的过冷却点 ,即前者的抗寒能力高于后者 ;但用Bt棉喂养后的棉铃虫滞育蛹抗寒能力下降     

Comparison of cold hardiness and sugar content between diapausing and nondiapausing pupae of the cotton bollworm, Helicoverpa armigera (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Abstract. To understand overwintering of the cotton boll worm Helicoverpa armigera, cold hardiness and sugar content are compared between diapausing and nondiapausing pupae. Diapausing and nondiapausing pupae reared at 20 °C under short and long photoperiods are acclimatized with a reduction of 5 °C per 5 days to 0 °C. When the acclimation temperature reaches 0 °C, the survival of diapausing pupae is assessed. The survival gradually decreases as the period of treatment progresses and approximately half survive for 112 days. However, nondiapausing pupae survive only 14 days after exposure to 0 °C. The surpercooling points of nondiapausing, diapausing and acclimatized pupae are approximately −17 °C. The major sugars contained in pupae are trehalose and glucose. Even though trehalose contents in diapausing pupae (initial level: 0.6 mg 100 mg⁻¹ fresh weight) increase significantly during cold acclimation and continue increasing until 58 days after exposure to 0 °C (maximum level: 1.8 mg 100 mg⁻¹), glucose is maintained at low levels (0.02 mg 100 mg⁻¹) for 56 days at 0 °C. However, glucose contents increase (maximum level: 0.8 mg 100 mg⁻¹) with decreasing contents of trehalose 84 days after exposure to 0 °C. Glycogen content gradually decreases during cold acclimation. When nondiapausing pupae are acclimatized with a reduction of 5 °C per 5 days to 5 °C from the beginning of pupation until the eyespots move, trehalose content increases (maximum level: 1.0 mg 100 mg⁻¹). Glucose contents in nondiapausing pupae increase before eclosion (0.09 mg 100 mg⁻¹). From these results, diapausing pupae of H. armigera can overwinter in regions where average winter temperatures are higher than 0 °C, but nondiapausing pupae cannot.     

Age‐dependent changes in tolerance to cold and accumulation of cryoprotectants in overwintering and non‐overwintering larvae of European corn borer Ostrinia nubilalis

Abstract The age‐dependent cold hardiness profile of Ostrinia nubilalis is compared between nondiapausing and diapausing larvae, as well as with field‐collected larvae. The results suggest that both cold tolerance and accumulation of cryoprotectants depends upon the age of O. nubilalis larva. Late fifth‐instar nondiapausing larvae are more cold tolerant than younger fifth‐instars because they show enhanced ability to withstand sub‐zero temperatures. No appreciable difference is observed between the experimental groups of diapausing larvae as far as their supercooling ability and tolerance at sub‐zero temperatures above the supercooling point. In general, both field‐collected and diapausing larvae are more cold tolerant than nondiapausing larvae, indicating a direct link between diapause and cold hardiness. The age of diapausing larvae affects the ability to accumulate glycerol. Glycerol levels of 45‐day‐old diapausing larvae are significantly higher (2.7‐fold) compared with 90‐day‐old diapausing larvae. Moreover, diapausing larvae display a five‐ to 13‐fold higher glycerol content compared with nondiapausing larvae. There is a trend for an age‐dependent cold hardiness profile in O. nubilalis and further tests that could demonstrate a causal relationship between age and cold tolerance are needed.     

Hydrocarbon profiles from puparia of diapausing and nondiapausing flesh flies (Sarcophaga crassipalpis) reflect quantitative rather than qualitative differences

Hydrocarbons on the puparia of flesh flies, Sarcophaga crassipalpis, were analyzed to determine whether the abundance of hydrocarbons on puparia from diapausing individuals (twice the amount extracted from puparia of nondiapausing individuals) was the consequence of an increase in deposition of select hydrocarbons or an overall increase in deposition. Hydrocarbons from the puparia of both diapausing and nondiapausing individuals are saturated and range in chain length from 25 to 33 carbons. GC-MS analyses indicate that the hydrocarbon fraction contains n-, terminally and internally branched monomethyl-, and 3,x-, 5,x- and internally branched dimethylalkanes. The diapausing and nondiapausing empty puparia contained 39.4 and 42.9% n-alkanes, 46.5 and 44.7% monomethylalkanes, and 9.5 and 8.5% dimethylalkanes, respectively. No major differences in the percent composition of the different hydrocarbons were noted between the two groups. This suggests that the amount of hydrocarbon, rather than the composition, contributes to the lower transpiration rates observed in diapausing pupae. © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Cold tolerance in diapausing and non-diapausing stages of the flesh fly, Sarcophaga crassipalpis

ABSTRACT. Supercooling points (SCP) and low temperature tolerance were determined for larval, pupal and adult stages of Sarcophaga crassipalpis Macquart (Diptera: Sarcophagidae). No stage tolerates tissue-freezing. Ontogenetic changes in SCP profiles are similar for comparable developmental stages of diapause and non-diapause groups. Feeding larvae have SCPs near -7°C which decrease to -11°C in the postfeeding wandering phase of the final larval instar. The lowest SCPs are recorded for pupae at -23°C. The capacity to survive at -17°C varies with age of the diapausing pupae: 10-day-old pupae are less cold tolerant than pupae that have been in diapause for 45–80 days. Although the SCP of non-diapausing pupae is as low as in diapausing pupae, non-diapausing pupae are extremely sensitive to low temperature exposure and do not survive to adult eclosion when exposed to -17°C for as little as 20 min. The use of hexane to break pupal diapause has no effect on SCPs or low temperature tolerance.     

Cold hardiness of diapausing and non-diapausing pupae of the European grapevine moth, Lobesia botrana

Lobesia botrana (Denis & Schiffermüller) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) is a key pest of grapes in Europe. It overwinters as a pupa in the bark crevices of the plant. Supercooling point (SCP) and low temperature survival was investigated in the laboratory and was determined using a cool bath and a 1 °C min^?1 cooling rate. Freezing was fatal both to diapausing and non‐diapausing pupae. SCP was significantly lower in diapausing male (?24.8 °C) and female (?24.5 °C) pupae than in non‐diapausing ones (?22.7 and ?22.5 °C, respectively). Sex had no influence on SCP both for diapausing and non‐diapausing pupae. Supercooling was also not affected by acclimation. However, acclimation did improve survival of diapausing pupae at temperatures above the SCP. Survival increased as acclimation period increased and the influence was more profound at the lower temperatures examined. Diapausing pupae could withstand lower temperatures than non‐diapausing ones and lethal temperature was significantly lower than for non‐diapausing pupae. Freezing injury above the SCP has been well documented for both physiological stages of L. botrana pupae. Our findings suggest a diapause‐related cold hardiness for L. botrana and given its cold hardiness ability, winter mortality due to low temperatures is not expected to occur, especially in southern Europe.     

Ontogenetic patterns of cold-hardiness and glycerol production in Sarcophaga crassipalpis

Developmental patterns of low-temperature tolerance and glycerol production were determined for larval, pupal and adult stages of the flesh fly Sarcophaga crassipalpis Macquart (Diptera: Sarcophagidae). Both diapause and non-diapause-destined flies were reared at relatively high temperatures, 20° or 25°C, prior to testing. Cold tolerance was greatest for diapause pupae aged 12–35 days after pupariation. Among non-diapause-destined flies, pupae exhibited a greater level of low temperature tolerance than larvae or adults. Although diapause pupae were more tolerant than non-diapause pupae maximal cold tolerance was not attained in either group until 10 days after pupariation. Non-diapause-destined feeding and wandering larvae had higher glycerol levels than larvae destined for diapause. During the first 6 weeks after pupariation glycerol titres increased steadily in diapause pupae. Rapid loss of glycerol is associated with the termination of pupal diapause.     

Role of antioxidant defense during different stages of preadult life cycle in European corn borer (Ostrinia nubilalis, Hubn.): Diapause and metamorphosis

Antioxidant enzymes, total glutathione (GSH), and ascorbic acid (ASA) were determined in whole body homogenates of nondiapausing larvae, diapausing larvae during the diapausing period (October, December, and February), and in pupae emerged from both diapausing and nondiapausing larvae of the European corn borer (Ostrinia nubilalis, Hubn., Lepidoptera: Pyralidae). The activities of catalase, selenium nondependent glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and glutathione-S-transferase (GST), as well as the content of GSH and ASA, were found to vary throughout the larval diapause. Compared to diapausing larvae, nondiapausing larvae were higher in levels of catalase, GPx, GST, and dehydroascorbate reductase (DHAR) activity. GSH content was also increased. However, nondiapausing larvae contained less ASA than diapausing ones. Pupae had higher GPx and GST activity and an increased ASA content compared to larvae. The pupae emerged from nondiapausing larvae had higher GST, glutathione reductase (GR), and DHAR activities, but lower GPx activity and ASA content than those emerged from diapausing larvae. Correlation analysis revealed differences in the way the antioxidant level is equilibrated for a particular stage and developmental pattern. The results suggest that cellular antioxidants are involved in both the protection of cells and the regulation of redox levels during the pre-adult stages of Ostrinia nubilalis. Arch. Insect Biochem. Physiol. 55:79-89, 2004.     

Cold-hardiness: a component of the diapause syndrome in pupae of the flesh flies, Sarcophaga crassipalpis and S. bullata

ABSTRACT. Diapausing pupae of Sarcophaga crassipalpis Macquart and S. bullata Parker reared at 20 or 25C readily survive exposure to - 10C for at least 25 days. In contrast, non-diapausing pupae produced by a variety of means are consistently intolerant of the low temperature. Non-diapausing pupae are not immediately killed by exposure to -10C: pupae exposed to the low temperature for up to 3 days proceed with pharate adult development but ultimately die before adult eclosion. Unlike many temperate zone insects, diapausing flesh fly pupae do not require a period of chilling for induction of cold-hardiness, and the attribute of cold-hardiness cannot be separated from other features of the diapause syndrome. Some cold-hardiness is already acquired during the third larval instar: diapause-destined larvae exposed to -10C are more successful in pupariating than non-diapause-destined larvae of the same age.     

Puparial wax restricts passive movement of water during diapause in the flesh fly

Abstract. To determine whether the capacity of diapausing pupae of the flesh fly ( Sarcophaga crassipalpis Macquart) to absorb water from drier air than non-diapausing pupae is due to a simple passive process, we examined water flux in empty puparia. Empty puparia from both types of fly absorb and lose water passively, but those from diapause pupae do so to a lesser degree. The impervious nature of such puparia is attributed to an extra layer of cuticular wax not found in the non-diapause group.     

Geographical and diapause-related cold tolerance in the blow fly,Calliphora vicina

Three geographical strains of the blow fly, Calliphora vicina, were tested for cold tolerance at 0 degrees, -4 degrees and -8 degrees C. Survival to eclosion after 1 to 18 days of cold exposure was greater for diapause-destined larvae than for nondiapause-destined larvae of the two northern strains (Nallikari, Finland 65 degrees N and Edinburgh, Scotland 55 degrees N) but not for the southernmost strain (Barga, Italy 44 degrees N) where no clear differences were apparent. Diapause-destined larvae of the Edinburgh strain were more cold tolerant than those from Nallikari, at both -4 degrees and -8 degrees C, a difference possibly attributable to the long-lasting snow cover in the more northern locality, which might insulate the overwintering soil microclimate. At 0 degrees C, however, Nallikari larvae were more cold tolerant than Edinburgh or Barga. This was also the case for nondiapause-destined larvae, indicating that cold tolerance may occur, in part, independently of the diapause programme. In all three strains diapausing larvae were more cold tolerant than same-age (nondiapausing) pupae. For Nallikari, but not Barga, wandering larvae from short-day exposed flies, therefore initially programmed for diapause, but diverted from the diapause pathway by larval breeding at 19 degrees C, were significantly more cold tolerant than nondiapause larvae from long-day parents, indicating some maternal regulation of larval cold tolerance. There was, however, no evidence for an additional cold hardiness in larvae acclimatised to cold by a gradual reduction of temperature.     

Stress-induced accumulation of glycerol in the flesh fly, Sarcophaga bullata: evidence indicating anti-desiccant and cryoprotectant functions of this polyol and a role for the brain in coordinating the response

Nondiapausing larvae of the flesh fly, Sarcophaga bullata, responded to several forms of short-term environmental stress (low temperature, anoxia and desiccation) by accumulating glycerol. Elevation of this polyol, regardless of the type of stress that induced accumulation, conferred cold resistance: larvae with high glycerol levels were 3-4 times more tolerant of a 2h exposure to -10 degrees C than unstressed larvae. Protection against low temperature injury, as well as dehydration, was also attained by injection of exogenous glycerol into third instar larvae. This artificially induced cold hardiness was only temporary: when glycerol-injected larvae were exposed to -10 degrees C immediately after injection, survival was high, but none survived if they were injected and then held at 25 degrees C for 2 days before the -10 degrees C exposure. Larvae ligated behind the brain immediately after low temperature exposure failed to accumulate glycerol, but glycerol did accumulate in larvae ligated 6-24h after cold treatment, thus implying a critical role for the brain in initiating glycerol production. Interestingly, a much shorter exposure (2h) to low temperature was sufficient to reduce the maximum rate of water loss. Collectively, these observations suggest that multiple pathways may be exploited in response to stress: one pathway is most likely associated with rapid cold hardening (RCH) which generates immediate protection, and a second pathway remains activated for a longer period to enhance the initial protection afforded by glycerol.     

Relationships between cold hardiness and diapause, and between glycerol and free amino acid contents in overwintering larvae of the oriental corn borer, Ostrinia furnacalis

To elucidate the relationship between diapause and cold hardiness in the oriental corn borer, Ostrinia furnacalis, the levels of various substances, cold hardiness and respiration were measured in diapausing and post-diapausing overwintering larvae. Under field conditions, diapause terminated between November and January, although O(2) consumption, measured at 20 degrees C in the laboratory, remained at a high level from October to January. Glycerol content was low during October and November but greatly increased during December and January. Serine was the most abundant of the free amino acids, and its concentrations were especially high during October and November, while the concentration of alanine increased in December and January. Under laboratory conditions, glycerol levels were low in diapausing larvae, and in post-diapausing larvae that were acclimated at either high temperatures or under anaerobic conditions, while they were high in post-diapausing larvae kept under aerobic, low temperature conditions. The survival rate (cold hardiness) was strongly correlated with glycerol content but not with serine or alanine levels. These results suggest that O. furnacalis has a highly developed cold hardiness mechanism in which termination of diapause enables the larvae to increase glycerol levels when the temperature decreases.     

寄主对桔小实蝇耐寒性的影响

为了研究寄主营养对桔小实蝇耐寒性的作用,测定了以15种果蔬饲养的桔小实蝇1日龄蛹的过冷却点(supercooling points,SCP); 再选取南瓜、西红柿、柑桔、番石榴和杨桃等5种果蔬,测定了桔小实蝇3龄老熟幼虫、1日龄蛹、3日龄蛹、5日龄蛹、7日龄蛹和雌雄成虫的过冷却点,并观察了1日龄蛹的低温存活力。结果表明：（1）15种果蔬饲养所得的桔小实蝇1日龄蛹SCP均值在-11.03℃～-13.17℃,不同寄主发育的桔小实蝇SCP值存在显著性差异,其中以取食蒲桃的最高,为-11.03℃,取食苦瓜的最低,为-13.17℃。（2）5种果蔬饲养所得的桔小实蝇各虫态的SCP均值存在极显著差异(F_(4,863)＝35.6,P<0.01); 同一寄主上的桔小实蝇不同虫态之间SCP均值也达到极显著性差异(F_(6,863)＝392.9,P<0.01); 且寄主和发育龄期之间存在着极显著的交互作用(F_(24,863)＝9.4,P<0.01)。（3）桔小实蝇各发育阶段,SCP值表现一定变化： 老熟幼虫发育至1日龄蛹,SCP值变化不大; 蛹发育至3、5和7天过冷却能力明显增强,降至-20℃左右,但他们之间没有明显区别; 羽化后3～5天的成虫SCP值又升高至-10℃左右。老熟幼虫、1日龄蛹和2～3日龄成虫与3日龄、5日龄和7日龄蛹的SCP值之间有显著性差异。（4）将5种果蔬饲养所得的桔小实蝇1日龄蛹置于6℃和-3℃下进行较长时间(1～8天)和较短时间(1～8 h)的低温处理,发现番石榴、杨桃和南瓜发育的蛹经低温处理后的校正羽化率较西红柿和柑桔发育的蛹高; 同样在0℃、3℃、6℃和9℃处理(2天)的实验中,得出相似的结果。因此,本实验结果表明桔小实蝇幼虫由于生活寄主的不同使得其下一代蛹的耐寒性产生了差异,引起其差异的原因值得进一步研究。     

Cold shock and cold tolerance in larvae and pupae of the blow fly, Lucilia sericata

Abstract.  Understanding the effects of low winter temperatures on mortality is essential in the development of a full understanding of the long-term population dynamics of any insect. The present study aims to examine the survival of pupae and larvae of the blow fly, Lucilia sericata , at overwintering temperatures. Groups of pupae and diapausing and nondiapausing third-stage larvae of L. sericata are maintained in cooled incubators at either 3 °C and 6 °C. Groups are removed from the incubators at 3–4-day intervals and transferred either to−8 °C or to 25 °C. After 1 h in the freezer, the larvae and pupae exposed to this cold-shock are also transferred to 25 °C. Larvae and pupae are then allowed to continue development and the number of adults emerging from each group is counted. The results demonstrate that survival decreases linearly with the period of exposure at both 3 °C and 6 °C. Mortality is higher at 3 °C than at 6 °C and, in groups that receive the cold shock, cold-shock reduces emergence by over 50%. However, there is no consistent tendency for diapausing larvae to survive prolonged cold or cold shock better than other life-cycle stages. The results suggest that the facultative development of an overwintering diapause stage in L. sericata does not appear to be an adaptation to enhance cold tolerance or resistance to cold shock. It is concluded that the survival of overwintering L. sericata is likely to be relatively less affected by low temperatures than it is by, for example, biotic factors, particularly given the buffered soil environment and short time-scales over which periods of cold act.     

Cold hardiness and sugar content in photo‐insensitive individuals of the cotton bollworm Helicoverpa armigera

Abstract A proportion of Helicoverpa armigera collected from fields in Okayama Prefecture (Western Japan; 34.6°N, 134.1°E) does not enter diapause when reared under a short days at 20 °C during the larval stages. However, diapause in such photo‐insensitive individuals can be induced when they are reared at moderately low temperatures, such as 15 °C, regardless of photoperiod. To determine whether such photo‐insensitive individuals can survive overwintering in fields, the present study compares the cold hardiness and sugar content between nondiapausing and diapausing pupae of photo‐insensitive individuals selected over several generations at 20 °C under a short day photoperiod (LD 10 : 14 h). Diapausing and nondiapausing pupae are obtained under the short days by rearing at 15 and 20 °C, respectively, during larval and pupal stages. These pupae are stepwise acclimated at a reduction of 5 °C every 5 days to 0 °C. Maximum survival periods of nondiapausing and diapausing pupae at 0 °C are approximately 30 and 90 days, respectively. Trehalose content in diapausing pupae increases, reaches a maximum level (1.95 mg 100 mg^?1 in males and 2.1 mg 100 mg^?1 in females) 28 days after exposure to 0 °C and then decreases. On the other hand, glucose content in diapausing pupae increases (maximum level: 0.32 mg 100 mg^?1 in males and 0.21 mg 100 mg^?1 in females) with decreasing trehalose content 42 days after exposure to 0°C. The decrease in trehalose content and the increase in glucose content may be linked to termination of diapause in H. armigera. These results suggest that, in Japan, the photo‐insensitive individuals can only survive in the mild winters of southern regions, and not in the severe winters of northern regions.     

Cold-Hardiness and Supercooling Capacity in Diapausing and Nondiapausing Stages of the Cabbage Root Fly Delia radicum

Supercooling point (SCP) values and cold-hardiness were measured in individual ontogenetic stages of Delia radicum (Diptera:Anthomyiidae) in various physiological states (winter diapause, summer quiescence, and normal development). Winter diapause-destined mature third-instar larvae had a lower SCP (-9.9 degrees C) than their nondiapause counterparts (-5.2 degrees C), and more of them survived exposure to -10 degrees C for 5 h to pupariation and adult emergence. Values of SCPs were equal in both diapause and nondiapause states of prepupal and pupal stages. The lowest SCP (ca. -20 degrees C) was found in the stage of phanerocephalic pupa (PCP) regardless of the physiological state. The cold-hardiness of PCP corresponded with a low SCP value only in diapausing pupae stored for 80 days at 3 degrees C and in pupae which had terminated their diapause and whose further development was inhibited by storage at low temperatures (3 degrees C). Such pupae survived exposure to temperatures close to their SCP (14 days at -17 degrees C). However, this high cold-hardiness was only acquired after some time and/or exposure to 3 degrees C, as the PCP at the beginning of diapause showed significantly impaired cold-hardiness despite the fact that their SCP was low. The cold-hardiness of nondiapausing PCP did not correspond at all to that of low SCP, as no pupa survived the exposure to -17 degrees C for 1 day; survival rates at temperatures of -13.5 and -10 degrees C were also remarkably lower than those in diapausing pupae. Cold-hardiness in D. radicum was closely connected with the diapause syndrome but the changes in SCP value corresponded rather with the ontogeny of this insect. Copyright 1993, 1999 Academic Press.     

Differences in pupal cold hardiness and larval food consumption between overwintering and non‐overwintering generations of the common yellow swallowtail,Papilio machaon (Lepidoptera: Papilionidae), from the Osaka population

To clarify differences in pupal cold hardiness and larval food consumption between overwintering and non‐overwintering generations of the common yellow swallowtail, Papilio machaon, we reared larvae from the Osaka population under photoperiods of 16 h light : 8 h dark (LD 16:8) (long day) or LD 12:12 (short day) at 20°C. We examined the relationship between food consumption and weight during the final larval stadium and pupae, and measured the pupal supercooling point (SCP). Although the ratio of assimilation to consumption did not differ significantly between photoperiods, the ratio of assimilation to pupal weight differed significantly between individuals reared under long and short days. All diapausing pupae were brown, whereas 56% of non‐diapausing pupae were green with the remainder brown. The mean pupal body length (L), dorsal width (W₁) and lateral width (W₂) were larger in non‐diapausing than in diapausing pupae, and the W₁/L and W₁/W₂ ratios differed significantly between non‐diapausing and diapausing pupae. SCP was approximately –20°C and did not differ among pupae 5, 15 and 30 days after pupation under long‐day conditions. However, under short‐day conditions, mean SCP gradually decreased, stabilizing at approximately –24 to –25°C by 30 days after pupation. After freezing, some diapausing pupae emerged as adults, whereas all non‐diapausing pupae died. Both egestion and assimilation were greater under long‐day conditions. The results revealed that pupae of this papilionid exhibit seasonal polyphenism in physiological and morphological traits. Energy from food appears to be expended on increasing cold hardiness in the overwintering generation and on reproduction in the non‐overwintering generation.     

Survival of indianmeal moth and navel orangeworm (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) at low temperatures

Concerns over insect resistance, regulatory action, and the needs of organic processors have generated renewed interest in developing nonchemical alternative postharvest treatments to fumigants used on dried fruits and nuts. Low-temperature storage has been identified as one alternative for the Indianmeal moth, Plodia interpunctella (Hiibner), and navel orangeworm, Amyelois transitella (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), common postharvest pests in California dried fruits and nuts. The response of eggs, nondiapausing larvae, and pupae of both species to exposure to low temperatures (0, 5, and 10 degrees C) was evaluated. Eggs of both species were the least tolerant of low temperatures. At 0 and 5 degrees C, pupae were most tolerant, but at 10 degrees C, nondiapausing larvae of both species were most tolerant, with lethal time (LT)95 values of 127 and 100 d for Indianmeal moth and navel orangeworm, respectively. The response of diapausing Indianmeal moth larvae to subfreezing temperatures also was evaluated. Diapausing larvae were very cold tolerant at -10 degrees C, with LT95 values of 20 and 17 d for long-term laboratory and recently isolated cultures, respectively. Diapausing larvae were far less tolerant at lower temperatures. At -15 degrees C, LT95 values for both cultures were <23 h, and at -20 degrees C, LT95 values were <7 h. Refrigeration temperatures of 0-5 degrees C should be useful in disinfesting product contaminated with nondiapausing insects, with storage times of 3 wk needed for adequate control. Relatively brief storage in commercial freezers, provided that the temperature throughout the product was below -15 degrees C for at least 48 h, also shows potential as a disinfestation treatment, and it is necessary when diapausing Indianmeal moth larvae are present.