• Korean journal of applied entomology
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.135-140
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• 2000

Development and reproduction of the cotton caterpillar, Palpita indica, were investigatedunder different temperatures (15 .O, 17.5, 20.0, 22.5, 25 .O, 27.5, 30.0, 32.5, and 35 .O$^{\circ}$C). Duration fromegg to pre-adult of the cotton caterpillar were ranged from 68.6 days at 175$^{\circ}$C to 19.7 days at 35.0% (3.5times shorter growth period compared with that at 17S$^{\circ}$C). At 15.0$^{\circ}$C, cotton caterpillar eggs developedto the last larval instar but were not able to go through the pupal stage. The lower developmentalthreshold temperatures and degree-days of egg, larva, pupa, and complete development were 13.4, 10.6,11.6, and 11.5"C and 55.3,251.5, 138.3, and 479.8 degree days, respectively. The hatching, pupation andemergence rates were higher at 25.0eC and 27.5"C compared with other temperatures. The survival ratefrom the hatched larva to adult was the highest at 27.5"C. The preoviposition and the adult longevity were11.5 and 30.6 days at 17.5"C and 1.5 and 9.2 days at 35.0$^{\circ}$C, respectively. The mean fecundity perfemales was greater at 25.0$^{\circ}$C and 27.5"C compared with other temperatures. Mean generation time indays (T) was shorter on higher temperature. Net reproductive rate per generation (R,) was the lowest atthe highest temperature as well as at the lowest, and it was 199.1 which was the highest at 27.5"C. Theintrinsic rate of natural increase (r,) was highest at 30.0$^{\circ}$C as 0.148. As a result, optimum ranges oftemperature for P. indica growth were between 25.0-32.5"C .emperature for P. indica growth were between 25.0-32.5"C .t;C .