EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF ENTOMOLOGY

Eur. J. Entomol. 101 (3): 423-426, 2004 | DOI: 10.14411/eje.2004.059

Effect of temperature on the biology of Noctua atlantica (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), a species endemic to the Azores

Maria Luísa Melo OLIVEIRA, Virgílio VIEIRA, Patrícia Ventura GARCIA

CIRN, Departamento de Biologia, Universidade dos Açores, 9501-801 Ponta Delgada, Açores, Portugal;

The effect of constant temperatures (5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30°C) on several biological parameters of Noctua atlantica (Warren), a noctuid endemic to the Azores, was studied using an artificial diet as food. At 5 and 30°C no eggs hatched. Developmental time (egg, larval, pupal and egg-to-adult) differed significantly at each temperature. Pupal weight (males and females) was significantly higher at 10°C and lower at 25°C. Adult longevity and the pre-oviposition period were longer at 10 and 15°C and differed significantly from those observed at higher temperatures. The mean number of eggs laid per female (fecundity) was significantly higher at 15°C, and lower at 25°C. Pupal weight (males and females) was positively correlated with larval, pupal, egg-to-adult developmental times and with adult longevity. Female pupal weight was also positively correlated with the pre-oviposition period and with fecundity. Temperatures ranging from 10 to 20°C are the most suitable for the development of N. atlantica, suggesting that this species is well adapted to the climatic conditions found in their natural habitat. The number of day-degrees required for the development from egg to adult emergence was 1428.57 D°, and 117.79 D° for the pre-oviposition period. Thus, N. atlantica can have two generations per year at high altitudes (550 or 800 m) in the Azores.

Keywords: Development, oviposition, longevity, emergence, mortality, day-degrees

Received: October 17, 2003; Revised: February 23, 2004; Accepted: April 19, 2004; Published: September 20, 2004  Show citation