Infectivity of Echinococcus granulosus protoscolices under different conditions of temperature and humidity

The aim of this study was to examine the effect of different temperatures and humidities on the infectivity of Echinococcus granulosus protoscolices. Eighteen dogs (6 groups, n = 3 each) were fed with offal mince harbouring approximately 20,000 protoscolices of E. granulosus of different viabilities. Dogs were infected with E. granulosus protoscolices of: (1) 5% viability at -10 degrees C and 50% relative humidity (RH); (2) 30% viability at 0 degrees C and 60% RH; (3) 20% viability at +10 degrees C and 65% RH; (4) 15% viability at +30 degrees C and 75% RH; (5) 11% viability at +40 degrees C and 80% RH; (6) 68% viability (control group). Dogs in each group were necropsied at 29-49 days post-infection. Mean intensities of E. granulosus recovered from dogs were 256.7 +/- 60.3 in the second group; 32.7 +/- 7.1 in the third group; 40.3 +/- 15.5 in the fourth group and 1533 +/- 513 in the control group. However, no parasites were recovered from the first and fifth groups. Results obtained in the present study show that larval stages could be infective for 1 to 4 weeks during spring, autumn or winter months when maximal temperatures are approximately 0-10 degrees C. In conclusion, cold-storage depots in slaughterhouses and abattoirs where sheep carcasses might be discarded should be kept at -20 degrees C for 2-3 days, dogs should be properly controlled and adequate control programmes must be established in areas where the disease is endemic.     

Life table study of Sitotroga cerealella (Lepidoptera: Gelichiidae), a strain from West Africa

Life table studies for the Angoumois grain moth, Sitotroga cerealella (Olivier), a pest on stored maize, Zea mays L., in West Africa, were conducted as part of the expansion of a mathematical simulation model that has been developed for two pests of stored maize. The effects of four temperatures (20, 25, 30, and 35 degrees C) and two relative humidity levels (44 and 80%) on developmental time, age-specific survivorship and fecundity, sex ratio, and intrinsic rate of natural increase (r(m)) of S. cerealella were investigated. Sex ratio was close to 1:1 at all temperatures and humidity. Minimum development time occurred close to 32 degrees C and 80% RH for both males and females, and developmental time of females was significantly shorter than that of males. Immature survivorship was highest between 25 and 30 degrees C and 80% RH and lowest at 35 degrees C under both humidity conditions. A similar low level was found at 20 degrees C and 44% RH. The greatest fecundity (124 eggs per female) occurred at 20 degrees C, 80% RH. The maximum r(m) value was 0.086 d(-1) at 30 degrees C and 80% RH, but the growth rate declined dramatically at 35 degrees C. If compared with the few other life table studies conducted on this species on maize in India and North America, some variation among the strains becomes evident. A common conclusion for the current study and previous ones is that optimal population development for S. cerealella occurs at approximately 30 degrees C and at high humidity.     

Effect of temperature and humidity on development, survival and oviposition in laboratory populations of Eriworm, Philosamia ricini (Boisduval) (Lepidoptera Saturniidae)

Experiments were conducted on laboratory populations of Eriworm, Philosamia ricini Boisduval to study the effect of temperature and humidity on development, growth, survival and oviposition. Experiments were performed at four different temperatures (22 +/- 2 degrees C, 26 +/- 2 degrees C, 28 +/- 2 degrees C and 34 +/- 1 degrees C) each with three different humidities (50%, 70% and 90% relative humidity). Shortest developmental period (42 days) was observed in 28 +/- 2 degrees C and 70% RH. Longest developmental period was (63.6 days) observed in 22 +/- 2 degrees C at 50% RH. Highest larval weight (9.1 g) was found in 28 +/- 2 degrees C at 70% RH. Best pupal weight was observed in 26 +/- 2 degrees C at 70% RH. Weight of silk material was found to be maximum in 26 +/- 2 degrees C at 70% RH. Survival was best in 28 +/- 2 degrees C and 26 +/- 2 degrees C at 70% RH. Oviposition was found to be highest in 28 +/- 2 degrees C at 70% RH.     

Effects of head cooling on human sleep stages and body temperature

The purpose of this study was to confirm the effect of head cooling on human sleep stages and body temperature. Nine healthy male volunteers with a mean age of 25 +/- 3.77 years served as subjects. The experiments were carried out under three different sets of conditions: 26 degrees C, relative humidity (RH) 50% (26/50); 32 degrees C, RH 80% (32/80); and 32 degrees C RH 80% with the use of a cooling pillow (32/80 HC). The subjects slept from 2300 hours to 0700 hours with a cotton blanket, wearing short-sleeved pyjamas and shorts on a bed, which was covered with a sheet. Electroencephalograms, electro-ouclogram, and mental electromyelograms were recorded through the night. Rectal temperature (Tre) and skin temperature (Tsk) were measured continuously. Whole-body sweat and the tympanic temperature (Tty) were measured before and after sleep. Wakefulness significantly increased at 32/80 than at 26/50; however, no significant difference was observed between 32/80 HC and 26/50. Tre and mean Tsk were higher both at 32/80 and 32/80 HC than at 26/50. The whole-body sweat loss was significantly greater and Tty in the morning was higher at 32/80 than 32/80 HC and 26/50. These results suggest that head cooling during sleep may help to decrease the whole-body sweat rate during sleep under humid heat conditions.     

Life history of hawthorn spider mite Amphitetranychus viennensis (Acarina: Tetranychidae) on various apple cultivars and at different temperatures

Development duration and reproduction rate of hawthorn spider mite Amphitetranychus viennensis (Zacher) were carried out on five different apple cultivars (Amasya (local cultivar), Golden Delicious, Granny Smith, Starking Delicious and Starkrimson Delicious) at 25 degrees C, 65 +/- 10% RH and 16:8 L:D. In addition, the same parameters were determined on Golden Delicious leaves at three constant temperatures (20, 30 and 35 degrees C, 65 +/- 10% RH and 16:8 L:D) in the laboratory. A. viennensis showed a better performance on Golden Delicious than on the other apple cultivars. This was mainly due to a short development time (10.7 days), high daily egg production (5.2 eggs/female/day) and early reproduction peak. The highest intrinsic rate of natural increase (rm) was determined on the variety Golden Delicious (rm = 0.247/day), while the lowest one was observed on the variety Starking Delicious (rm = 0.215/day). The developmental periods of A. viennensis varied from 7.4 to 18.8 days at 35 and 20 degrees C for females, while it varied from 7.9 to 17.2 days at 30 and 20 degrees C for males. The development threshold of the eggs and pre-adult stages were 9.72 and 9.07 degrees C, total effective temperature was 72.99 and 185.18 degree-days, respectively. The mean generation time (To) of the population ranged from 16.13 days at 30 degrees C to 29.15 days at 20 degrees C. The net reproductive rate (R0) increased from 54.33 female/female at 20 degrees C to 78.34 female/female at 25 degrees C, and decreased to 75.71 female/female at 30 degrees C. The highest intrinsic rate of increase (rm) was reached at 30 C (rm = 0.268/day), the lowest one at 20 degrees C (rm = 0.136/day).     

毒死蜱亚致死剂量对朱砂叶螨实验种群动态的影响

采用Jackknife统计推断技术和生存分析Wilcoxon (Gehan)技术,对寄主为桑树的朱砂叶螨种群水平上的亚致死效应进行了研究.结果表明, 在30 ℃±1 ℃、RH (70±15)%、16L∶8D条件下,朱砂叶螨卵受毒死蜱亚致死剂量LC₃₅处理后,雌成螨寿命、子代卵孵化率、性比与对照组无显著差异,而处理组每雌总产卵量(42.37±2.270)显著低于对照组(52.50±2433);处理组内禀增长率(0.3279±0.0033)显著低于对照组(0.3717±0.0043)     

Biology of Cerotoma arcuatus (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) and field validation of a laboratory model for temperature requirements

Cerotoma arcuatus Olivier is a polyphagous pest of legumes [soybean, Glycine max (L.); dry beans, Phaseolus vulgaris (L.); and cowpeas, Vigna unguiculata (L.)], all of which are considered important protein sources for humans and domestic animals. Studies on the biology and temperature requirements of C. arcuatus were made under laboratory and field (cage) conditions. In the laboratory, insects were reared on soybean plants in incubators held at 18, 20, 22, 25, 28, 30, or 32 degrees C, 70 +/- 10% RH, and a photoperiod of 14:10 (L:D) h. A degree-days (DD) model developed based on the incubator data were validated in the field based on air and soil temperatures. The duration of the egg, larva-to-adult, and egg-to-adult period was inversely correlated with the temperature within the range of 18-32 degrees C, with the highest viability found from 20 to 30 degrees C. The temperature threshold for development and the thermal constant for the egg phase and the larva-to-adult periods were 13.6 degrees C and 106.7 DD, 8.3 degrees C and 399.4 DD, and 10.7 degrees C and 489.0 DD, respectively. The DD model for the egg-to-adult period, calculated using constant temperatures in the laboratory, was found to be valid for populations of C. arcuatus in the field, based on the fluctuating air and soil temperatures, although air temperatures provided more precise predictions. These data provide support for the rational control of this pest through population predictions based on their temperature requirements.     

Influence of environmental storage relative humidity on biological indicator resistance, viability, and moisture content.

The effect of environmental storage relative humidity (RH) on the moisture content, viability, and moist heat and gaseous ethylene oxide (EO) resistance of biological indicators (BIs) was evaluated. No statistically significant difference was observed between the initial Bacillus stearothermophilus spore population and the spore population of BIs stored at 20 degrees C and 0, 20, 44, of 55% RH or under ambient, 4 degrees C, or -20 degrees C conditions after 12 months. A statistically significant decrease in moist heat resistance from initial starting levels was found for BIs stored at 20 degrees C and either 0 or 20% RH. There was a statistically significant decrease in the B. subtilis BI spore population, compared with initial levels, when the BIs were stored at 20 degrees C and 0% RH concomitant with a significant increase in their EO resistance. BI storage at 20 degrees C and 20 or 44% RH, or under ambient, 4 degrees C, or -20 degrees C conditions, had no significant effect on EO resistance. BIs stored at 20 degrees C and 66% RH demonstrated a significantly lower EO resistance compared with starting levels.     

Influence of temperature, photoperiod and humidity on oviposition and egg hatch of the root-feeding flea beetle Longitarsus bethae (Chrysomelidae: Alticinae), a natural enemy of the weed Lantana camara (Verbenaceae)

The root-feeding flea beetle Longitarsus bethae Savini & Escalona, was introduced into South Africa as a candidate biological control agent for the noxious and invasive weed, Lantana camara L. As part of the study to predict the beetles' survival in its new range, the influence of climatic conditions on its egg development and reproductive performance were investigated in the laboratory. The threshold temperature (T degrees) and degree-days (DD) required for egg hatch were determined after exposing the eggs to various constant temperatures (12, 17, 22, 27 and 32 degrees C) in separate growth chambers. The DD required for egg hatch was 178.6, and the temperature threshold required for egg hatch was 11.3 degrees C. Survival of eggs varied from 27 to 56% at 32 and 17 degrees C, respectively, and was optimum between 17 and 25 degrees C. Oviposition was examined under high and low relative humidity (RH) regimes while egg hatch was determined at six RH levels, each maintained in a separate controlled growth chamber set at a constant temperature (25 degrees C). Whilst RH had no influence on oviposition, eggs were highly susceptible to aridity, and continuous exposure to relative humidity below 63% for more than three days was wholly lethal at 25 degrees C. Optimum egg hatch occurred at RH between 85 and 95% for up to 12 days. The effect of day length on oviposition and subsequent egg hatch was investigated under two photoperiod regimes. Neither oviposition nor subsequent egg hatch was influenced by photoperiod. The knowledge obtained will be useful for mass rearing as well as field release programmes for L. bethae.     

Post-embryonic development of Ophyra aenescens (Wiedemann, 1830) (Diptera: Muscidae) with different diets, under laboratory conditions

The performance of various diets (bovine meat, fish-sardine, shrimp, dog faeces, and banana) in Ophyra aenescens development was evaluated. The biology was studied in an incubator (BOD) at 27 +/- 1 degrees C and 80 +/- 10% of RH. The developmental time from larvae to adult, the developmental time and viability of larvae and pupae, the weight of pupae as well as the sex ratio of the emerging adults were also determined. Beef and shrimp were the more efficient diets for rearing O. aenescens.     

Effects of temperature and relative humidity on sporulation of Metarhizium anisopliae var. acridum in mycosed cadavers of Schistocerca gregaria.

The effects of relative humidity (RH) and temperature on the sporulation of Metarhizium anisopliae var. acridum on mycosed cadavers of desert locust, Schistocerca gregaria, were assessed in the laboratory. Quantitative assessments of conidial production over 10 days under constant conditions showed that sporulation was optimized at RH > 96% and at temperatures between 20 and 30 degrees C. Under both these conditions >10(9) conidia/cadaver were produced. At 25 degrees C, conidial yield was maximized under conditions in which cadavers remained in contact with damp substrate. Relatively little sporulation occurred at 15 degrees C (< 3 x 10(7) conidia/cadaver) and 40 degrees C (< 4 x 10(6) conidia/cadaver) and no sporulation occurred at 10 or 45 degrees C. Following incubation, conidial yield was closely related to the water content of locust cadavers. In separate tests, locust cadavers were incubated for 10 days under diurnally fluctuating temperature and RH that comprised favorable (25 degrees C/100% RH) alternating with unfavorable (40 degrees C/80% RH) conditions for sporulation. In this case, fewer conidia were produced compared with cadavers that were incubated under the favorable conditions for an equal period cumulatively but were not periodically exposed to unfavorable conditions. However, this reduced sporulation observed with the fluctuating condition was not observed when cadavers were similarly incubated under favorable/unfavorable conditions of temperature but were not periodically exposed to the low RH condition. This result implies that sporulation is a dynamic process, dependent not only on periodic exposure to favorable RH but also on the interrelation of this with low RH. Associated tests and the monitoring of changes in cadaver weights imply that the mechanism driving the reduced sporulation under fluctuating RH is the net water balance of cadavers, i.e. the cumulative ability of the fungus/cadaver to adsorb water necessary for sporulation at high RH is restricted by water loss associated with intermittent exposure to a low RH. The duration of daily exposure to high humidity appears to be a crucial constraint to the recycling ability of M. anisopliae var. acridum.     

Reproductive and developmental biology of the oriental cockroach Blatta orientalis (Dictyoptera)

At 27 degrees C and 45% r.h. in the laboratory, the oriental cockroach Blatta orientalis (L.) developed to adulthood in seven to nine instars for males (66% had eight instars) and eight to ten instars for females (67% had nine instars) in mixed groups, with up to twelve instars for isolated females. Nymphal development lasted 185 +/- 2 days for males, 216 +/- 4 days for females, with 89% survival to adulthood. Adult longevity was significantly more for males than females in mixed groups. Virgin females lived for 135 +/- 6 days compared with 87 +/- 9 days for females kept with males. After an initial maturation time of 12.2-13.5 +/- 0.4 days for mated and unmated females, oothecae were produced, on average, every 6-7 (range 2-29) days. Ootheca viability was 68% from females kept with males, 32% from females kept apart from males. Numbers of nymphs emerging were 14.1 +/- 0.26 after 45 days from mated female oothecae 8.2 +/- 0.3 after 49 days from unmated females. With sexual reproduction the sex ratio of progeny reaching adulthood was 1.1 males per female (n = 443), whereas unmated females produced only female progency, which is consistent with parthenogenetic reproduction. Drawings of the ventral aspect of the terminalia are given to show features useful for instar determination and for distinguishing between male and female nymphs and adults of B. orientalis.     

Biological studies of Oligonychus punicae (Acari: Tetranychidae) on grapevine cultivars

Life cycle, fecundity and longevity of the avocado brown mite, Oligonychus punicae (Hirst), were studied on six grapevine cultivars (Tucupita, Villanueva, Red Globe, Sirah, Sauvignon and Chenin Blanc), under laboratory conditions at 27 +/- 2 degrees C, 80 +/- 10% RH, and L12:D12 photoperiod. Mite-infested leaves were collected from vineyards, placed in paper bags and taken to the laboratory. A laboratory mite culture was established using the grape cultivar Criolla Negra as host plant. To elucidate potential effects on avocado brown mite parameters, we assessed levels of secondary metabolites, such as alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins and polyphenols, of leaves of the six grape cultivars, as well as the thickness of the adaxial cuticle-epidermis. The life cycle of O. punicae differed among cultivars with average values ranging between 8.2 days on Tucupita leaves and 9.1 days on Sirah. Relatively high fecundity was found on Tucupita leaves (2.8 eggs/female/day) during 11.4 oviposition days, while low fecundity values occurred on Sirah and Villanueva leaves, with 0.9 and 1.8 eggs/female/day during 7.9 and 6.7 days, respectively. Average longevity of O. punicae females ranged from 8.1 to 17.5 days on Sirah and Sauvignon leaves, respectively. Intrinsic rate of increase (r (m)) was highest on Sauvignon (0.292) and Tucupita (0.261), and lowest on Sirah (0.146) and Villanueva (0.135). Although significant differences in cuticle-epidermis thickness were detected among the six cultivars, it seemed not to affect mite parameters. Secondary metabolite content also varied between the cultivars. Generally, increasing flavonoid content coincided with decreasing reproductive parameters. The natural plant resistance observed in this study could be useful in the development of an integrated pest management program for mite pests in grape production.     

Water loss and metabolic water in starving Argas reflexus nymphs (Acari: Argasidae)

Basic components of the water balance were determined in A. reflexus unfed second instar nymphs kept at 30 degrees C and different relative humidities in darkness. At 2.5% and 32.5% RH, A. reflexus survived for 170+/-60 and 246+/-71 days, respectively. At 56%, 75.5% and 96.5% RH, the experiment was terminated after 168 days without any mortality. The initial water content of hydrated A. reflexus kept at 85% RH was 70.3+/-1.8% while the water content was close to 50% in ticks dehydrated at /=56% suggesting that A. reflexus increased its oxidative metabolism under dehydrating conditions and thus delayed lethal dehydration. Interestingly, the dry mass of dead ticks was almost identical irrespective of whether the ticks had previously been kept at 2.5% and 32.5% RH, i.e. irrespective of their different survival periods. This raises the question whether the ticks had died by dehydration or by exhaustion of energy reserves.     

Platynota rostrana (Walker) (Tortricidae) AND Phidotricha erigens Raganot (Pyralidae): artificial diet effects on biological cycle.

The lepidopterans Platynota rostrana (Walker) (Tortricidae) and Phidotricha erigens Raganot (Pyralidae) have been found frequently in citrus groves in S?o Paulo State in recent years. Since in Brazil, the fertility cycle of these two species is largely unknown, as are details of the damage wrought by them in crops, this research studied these aspects of the two species, which were kept under laboratory conditions (temperature 25 +/- 2 degrees C, 70 +/- 10% RH, 14 h photophase) and on an artificial diet. The duration of the biological cycle (egg-adult) for P. rostrana was 38.3 days and total viability was 44.0%; for P. erigens these values were 32.5 days and 63.6%, respectively. Both species showed five larval instars. Females of P. rostrana laid an average of 308 eggs, whereas those of P. erigens laid an average of 106 eggs. In both species, female pupae were heavier than males. Male and female longevity for both species was nearly 10 days. Based on the data obtained, the artificial diet produced better results in P. rostrana than in P. erigens. If these species, which have the potential to reach pest status in the citrus groves of S?o Paulo State, could be reared on an artificial diet, research on their control by alternative methods would be easier.     

Effect of relative humidity and air temperature on survival of hepatitis A virus on environmental surfaces.

Stainless steel disks (diameter, 1 cm) were contaminated with fecally suspended hepatitis A virus (HAV; strain HM-175) and held at low (25% +/- 5%), medium (55% +/- 5%), high (80% +/- 5%), or ultrahigh (95% +/- 5%) relative humidity (RH) at an air temperature of 5,20, or 35 degrees C. HAV survival was inversely proportional to the level of RH and temperature, and the half-lives of the virus ranged from greater than 7 days at the low RH and 5 degrees C to about 2 h at the ultrahigh RH and 35 degrees C. In parallel tests with fecally suspended Sabin poliovirus (PV) type 1 at the low and ultrahigh RH, all PV activity was lost within 4 h at the low RH whereas at the ultrahigh RH it remained detectable up to 12 h. HAV could therefore survive much better than PV on nonporous environmental surfaces. Moreover, the ability of HAV to survive better at low levels of RH is in direct contrast to the behavior of other enteroviruses. These findings should help in understanding the genesis of HAV outbreaks more clearly and in designing better measures for their control and prevention.     

Effect of temperature on the development and viability of Gryon gallardoi (Brethes) (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae) parasitizing Spartocera dentiventris (Berg) (Hemiptera: Coreidae) eggs.

The development and viability of Gryon gallardoi (Brethes) (Hym.: Scelionidae) in Spartocera dentiventris (Berg) (Hem.: Coreidae) eggs were studied under four temperatures: 15, 20, 25, and 30 +/- 1 degree C, with a 12-h photophase. No parasitoid developed at 15 degrees C. Otherwise, viability reached 98.8% without varying significantly over the temperature range tested. The duration of development for males and females was inversely proportional to the temperature increase, varying respectively from 46.2 +/- 0.13 and 47.1 +/- 0.11 days (20 degrees C) to 13.3 +/- 0.07 and 13.4 +/- 0.06 days (30 degrees C). Males developed faster than females. The values estimated for the lowest thermic thresholds of development and the thermic constants were 15.5 degrees C and 185.19 DD for males and 15.6 degrees C and 192.31 DD for females, respectively. Given the average weather conditions in Porto Alegre, RS (30 degrees 01' S and 51 degrees 13' W), Brazil, G. gallardoi could annually produce 8.54 and 8.07 generations of males and females, respectively. The low rates of parasitism observed in the field during the first generation of its host may be due to the small number of G. gallardoi generations in this period.     

Effect of relative humidity and air temperature on survival of hepatitis A virus on environmental surfaces.

Stainless steel disks (diameter, 1 cm) were contaminated with fecally suspended hepatitis A virus (HAV; strain HM-175) and held at low (25% +/- 5%), medium (55% +/- 5%), high (80% +/- 5%), or ultrahigh (95% +/- 5%) relative humidity (RH) at an air temperature of 5,20, or 35 degrees C. HAV survival was inversely proportional to the level of RH and temperature, and the half-lives of the virus ranged from greater than 7 days at the low RH and 5 degrees C to about 2 h at the ultrahigh RH and 35 degrees C. In parallel tests with fecally suspended Sabin poliovirus (PV) type 1 at the low and ultrahigh RH, all PV activity was lost within 4 h at the low RH whereas at the ultrahigh RH it remained detectable up to 12 h. HAV could therefore survive much better than PV on nonporous environmental surfaces. Moreover, the ability of HAV to survive better at low levels of RH is in direct contrast to the behavior of other enteroviruses. These findings should help in understanding the genesis of HAV outbreaks more clearly and in designing better measures for their control and prevention.     

Reproductive activity of Coelomera lanio (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)

The Cecropia spp. (Cecropiaceae) trees are attacked by several insects; among them, Coelomera lanio (Dalman) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae). The reproductive behavior of C. lanio was studied under laboratory conditions (12 hour photoperiod, 24.1 +/- 0.1 degrees C and mean relative humidity 67.7 +/- 0.6%), in Vi?osa, Minas Gerais, Brazil. The insects were reared in cages and in Petri dishes and fed leaves of Cecropia pachystachya Trec. Reproductive activity began 5.8 +/- 0.2 days after adult emergence and mean copulation time was 2.5 +/- 0.1 min. The female began oviposition only after 25.7 +/- 0.7 days. Each female laid a mean of 4.7 +/- 0.4 times (range 1-9). The mean number of eggs per oviposition and female was 129.2 +/- 2.4 and 587.4 +/- 92.1 respectively, and the time between egg-layings averaged 16.3 +/- 0.8 days.     

Effect of temperature and relative humidity on the development and fecundity of Chilo partellus (Swinhoe) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae)

The spotted stemborer, Chilo partellus (Swinhoe) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae), is one of the most important insect pests attacking maize and sorghum in Ethiopia. Recent studies have indicated that the pest is spreading to new locations where it was not reported before. In the current study, laboratory investigations were carried out to determine the combined effect of different levels of relative humidity and temperature regimes on the development and fecundity of C. partellus, as these physical factors are known to play an important role in the life cycle of insects and adaptability to local climate. Developmental time, longevity, potential fecundity and realized fecundity of C. partellus were measured under controlled conditions. Three temperature regimes (22°C, 26°C and 30°C) and three relative humidity levels (40%, 60% and 80%) were tested. It was found that temperature, relative humidity (RH) and their interaction significantly affected the developmental time, adult longevity, potential fecundity and realized fecundity of the pest. Developmental time was inversely related to temperature. Mean duration of C. partellus life cycle was 70.2 days at 22°C and 80% RH, whereas it took only 26.5 days to complete its life cycle at 30°C and 40% RH. Male and female longevity were similar in most cases. The adult life span ranged between 6.9-11.1 days at 22°C and 3.1-7.2 days at 30°C for different levels of relative humidity. The most suitable conditions for C. partellus development and fecundity were 26-30°C temperatures regimes and 60-80% RH levels.