Compared biology in artificial diets and thermal requirements of Cryptoblabes gnidiella

Abstract

This work was conducted to evaluate the development of Cryptoblabes gnidiella in artificial diets, and to know the thermal requirements of the species. Biology was studied under laboratory conditions (26±1ºC, relative humity of 70±10% and L/D 14:10 h) using three artificial diets based on bean (D₁), white bean and pellet of alfafa (D₂) and of white bean (D₃). Thermal requirements of honeydew moth were estimated at four constant temperatures (18ºC, 22ºC, 26ºC e 30ºC) using D₂ artificial diet. Based on fertility life table, D₂ was the most appropriate diet to rear C. gnidiella in laboratory providing a total viability of 53.30%. The lower threshold temperature and thermal requirements for the biological cycle (egg to adult) were 12.26ºC and 569.91 day degrees, respectively. The specie completes 3.25 generations in Caxias do Sul, RS and 9.19 in Petrolina, PE.