title: Effect of rearing temperature on the fecundity and development of Euzopherodes vapidella Mann (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), a pest of stored yam.
abstract: The fecundity and development of the yam moth, Euzopherodes vapidella Mann on Dioscorea alata L. was investigated in the laboratory at four different temperatures, 20, 24, 29 and 33 degrees C. The mean fecundity per female at 20, 24, 29 and 33 degrees C was 51.8+/-3.5, 102.4+/-3.8, 123.3+/-4.4 and 124.4 +/-4.4 eggs, respectively. Hatchability of eggs was highest at 29 degrees C and lowest at 20 degrees C. The mean developmental time at 20, 24, 29 and 33 degrees C was 12.1+/-0.6, 6.2+/-0.3, 3.0+/-0.0 and 2.7+/-0.1 days for the egg, 23.6+/-1.1, 20.0+/-0.9, 15.4+/-0.7 and 12.9+/-0.4 days for the larval stages, 13.0+/-0.03, 8.9+/-0.02, 7.9+/-0.02, and 6.4+/-0.03 days for the pupa and 48.7+/-3.5, 35.1+/-2.3, 26.3+/-1.2 and 22.0+/-1.0 days for the period from egg to adult emergence, respectively. The developmental threshold for the egg stage was estimated as 16.8 degrees C with thresholds of 8.0, 6.2 and 11.4 degrees C for larvae, pupae, and egg to adult emergence, respectively. Storage of yam tubers at low temperatures (but higher than 12 degrees C to avoid damage to tubers) will significantly retard the development of E. vapidella and therefore help in their control. Adult males ranged from 0.50 to 0.65cm in length and females from 0.70 to 0.90cm.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Federal University of Technology, P.M.B. 704, Akure, Nigeria
authors.forename: M O.
authors.initials: MO
authors.lastname: Ashamo
authors.forename: O O.
authors.initials: OO
authors.lastname: Odeyemi