Temperature-dependent development of diapausing larvae of Chilo partellus (Swinhoe) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae)

Temperature-dependent development rate, percent diapause induction (hibernation at low temperature and aestivation at high temperature), and survival of diapausing larvae of Chilo partellus (Swinhoe, 1885) were examined on 13 constant temperatures ranging from 8 to 40 °C. Development of hibernating and aestivating larvae occurred from 10 to 25 °C and 27-38 °C, respectively. However, no development occurred at 8 °C and 40 °C. To determine actual thermal conditions that affect development and trigger both kind of diapause (hibernation and aestivation), various thermal parameters were estimated by fitting the development rate data to two linear (Ordinary equation and Ikemoto & Takai) models and thirteen non-linear models. The lower thermal thresholds (Tmin) for development of diapausing larvae of C. partellus were calculated as 9.60 °C and 10.29 °C using the ordinary linear model and Ikemoto & Takai model, respectively. Similarly, the thermal constants (K) estimated using the ordinary linear model was 333.33 degree-days and that estimated with Ikemoto & Takai model was 338.92 degree-days. Among the non-linear models, Lactin-2 followed by Lactin-1 were found to be the best as these models estimated the critical temperatures (Tmin, Tmax and Topt) similar to those of observed values. Conclusively, the Ikemoto & Takai linear model and Lactin-2 followed by Lactin-1 non-linear models are useful and efficient for describing temperature-dependent development and estimating the temperature thresholds of diapausing larvae of C. partellus. Our findings provided fundamental information for estimation of thermal requirement and temperature based development models for diapausing larvae of C. partellus. This information will be highly useful for predicting the occurrence, seasonal emergence, number of generations and population dynamics of C. partellus.