The effect of rearing in different temperature regimes on the reproduction of Anagasta kuehniella (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae).

Eggs of Anagasta kuehniella (Zeller) are widely used in mass rearing of parasitoids, especially Trichogramma spp. and predators in many biological-control programs. The objective of this study was to improve the efficiency of mass rearing of A. kuehniella through determining the optimal temperature conditions for rearing, by assessing the effect of temperature during the developmental stages on the reproduction of A. kuehniella. We evaluated 1) the effect of temperature at which A. kuehniella was kept from egg to adult death, on reproduction; 2) the effect of temperature during the larval and pupal stages on oviposition; and 3) the effect of different temperatures on adults that originated from larvae kept in a constant temperature of 25°C. The results indicated that the optimal temperature range for the development of A. kuehniella is between 20-30°C, as at 30°C there was a marked decrease in viability of the egg and larval stages. The best temperature for maintaining A. kuehniella from egg to adult death is 25°C. Temperatures of 30 and 32°C lead to deformations in genitalia of males, reducing the viability of eggs, and also eggs and females from these temperatures have lower weights. The rearing temperature of immatures affects the egg-laying capacity of adults and the egg viability. The oviposition capacity of adults kept in different temperatures ranging from 18 to 32°C, after being reared in constant temperature (25°C) during the larval stages, was not affected.