Effect of temperature and host plant on development of three species of leafrollers (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae)

Abstract

Three species of leafrollers were reared to maturity on fresh leaves or diets prepared from freeze-dried leaves of various host plants. Linear relationships were found between development rate and temperature for brownheaded (Ctenopseustis sp.) and greenheaded leafroller (Planotortrix excessana) larvae and pupae reared at 11.5, 18.0 and 22.5°C. Rate of pre-imaginal development was affected by insect sex and species and larval host plant. Greenheaded leafroller developed faster than the brownheaded leafroller. Males of all 3 leafroller species developed faster than females for larvae, while the reverse applied for pupae. Leafrollers developed relatively faster on some host plants and produced relatively larger insects, e.g., lightbrown apple moth (Epiphyas postvittana) on broadleaved dock (Rumex obtusifolius). Insects developed more slowly on diets based on freeze-dried leaves to produce heavier individuals than insects reared on fresh leaves of the same hosts.

Keywords>:

• Leafroller
• larvae
• pupae
• adults
• development
• size
• temperature
• host