Effect of temperature on the population growth of Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) on sugarcane.

The effect of temperature on the developmental time, survival, and reproduction of Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Olivier) reared on sugarcane was studied at seven constant temperatures (16, 20, 24, 28, 32, 36, and 40 degrees C). The developmental threshold temperatures and effective accumulated temperatures for the whole generation were 17.41 degrees C and 1,590.72 DD, respectively. One generation had the highest survival rate (26.67%) at 28 degrees C. The egg failed to survive at 16 and 40 degrees C. The population trend index (I = 38.22) and net reproductive rate (R(o) = 38.3) were highest at 28 degrees C. The net reproductive rate (R(o) = 3.36), intrinsic rate of increase (r(m) = 0.0028), and finite capacity of increase (lambda = 1.0028) were lowest at 20 degrees C. The mean generation time (T(o) = 85.82) was shortest at 36 degrees C. The population double time (PDT = 27.08) was shortest at 32 degrees C. Based on these studies, we concluded that the temperatures from 28 to 32 degrees C were the most suitable temperatures for the development of R. ferrugineus.