Bionomics of Codling Moth

Effect of Temperature on Codling Moth

 
The developmental rate of the immature stages of the codling moth is primarily a function of temperature (Riedl, 1983). The developmental threshold (Table 1) and thermal  requirements (Table 2) of different development stages are different.  However, a generalized base threshold of 10 °C has been used for predicting codling moth phenology based on thermal accumulation (Riedl and Croft 1978, Jorgensen et al. 1979).  According to Setyobudi (1989), the fourth larval instar has the highest threshold (14.23°C) and the second instar had the lowest developmental threshold (9.66°C).  The average larval threshold is 11.17°C.  Male pupae (8.66°C) have a significant lower development threshold than the female pupae (9.44°C). Total development threshold from larvae to adult is 10.05°C for both sexes combined, and males (10.06°C) has significantly lower threshold than female (11.31°C). That is why male codling moths appear first in spring, about 2-5 days earlier than females. A total of 441.3 thermal units are required for development from larva to adult for both sexes. 

  

 Table 1. Developmental Thresholds for different Life Stages of Codling Moth
Stage of   life Cycle 
Sex
Threshold 
 (°C)
Optimum 
(°C)
 Upper Limite 
(°C)
Source
Eggs- Development  
10.00
     Annonymous, 1955
   
10.00
     Geier, 1963
   
10.00
25.7
   Glenn, 1922
   
11.11
     Hagely, 1973
   
09.90
     Rock & Shaffer, 1983
Larvae- Growth          
   
10.00
28.9
   Glenn, 1922
   
10.00
     Geier, 1963
   
10.0
  
31.1
 Pitcairn et al.  1992
   
09.90
     Rock & Shaffer, 1983
  Female
11.50
     Setyobudi, 1989
  Male
11.54
     Setyobudi, 1989
  Combined
11.17
     Setyobudi, 1989
           
Pupae- Development          
   
10.00
     Glenn, 1932
   
11.11
31.11
   Geier, 1963
   
09.90
     Rock & Shaffer, 1983
  Female
9.44
     Setyobudi, 1989
  Male
8.65
     Setyobudi, 1989
  Combined
9.83
     Setyobudi, 1989
           
Adult           
Flight
  
12.78
  
26.67
 Batiste, 1973
   
12.22
  
26.67
 Putman, 1963
   
15.00
     Tadic, 1963
 Mating 
  
12.78
  
26.67
 Batiste, 1973
   
15.00
     Tadic, 1963
 Oviposition
  
15.00
     Tadic, 1963
   
16.11
     Putman, 1963
   
16.67
25.00
30.00
 Isely, 1938, 1939
   
18.33
     Parker, 1959
  

Egg laying takes place when temperatures at twilight are above 15°C. Codling moth growth from egg to adult requires a minimum daily temperature of 11.11°C. The growth and development rates increase above 11.11°C until the average daily temperature is 30°C. Temperature above this level will retard growth. Temperature thresholds and degree-days requirements for codling moth are given in Tables 1 and 2.  
  
 

 Table 2. Thermal Requirements for the developement of Codling Moth Larvae and Pupa
Stage of    
life   
cycle or   
instar
Sex
Degree-Days 
required 
Mean
 (95 ÷ CI )
 		 Reference
LARVAE        
  Combined 261.7   Annonymous, 1996
  Combined 263.9   Pickel et al. 1986
    First instar
 Combined 54.59 ( 53.10 - 56.08) Setyobudi, 1989
    Second  instar
 Combined 55.75 ( 53.09 - 58.41 ) Setyobudi, 1989
    Third  instar
 Combined 33.18 ( 28.32 - 38.04 ) Setyobudi, 1989
    Fourth  instar
 Combined 21.20 ( 17.50 - 24.80 ) Setyobudi, 1989
    Fifth  instar
 Combined 124.24 ( 115.2 - 132.96) Setyobudi, 1989
    ALL
 Female 279.18 ( 243.99 - 314.37 ) Setyobudi, 1989
  Male 303.800 ( 287.07 - 320.53 ) Setyobudi, 1989
  Combined 288.96 ( 214.43 - 310.39 ) Setyobudi, 1989
         
Pupae Combined 222.2   Pickel et al. 1986
  Female 154.59 (146.93 - 162.25) Setyobudi, 1989
  Male 162.88 ( 154.76 - 171.00 ) Setyobudi, 1989
  Combined 152.30 ( 147.43 - 157.17 ) Setyobudi, 1989
         
Larvae to Adults Female 433.77 ( 390.92 - 476.62 ) Setyobudi, 1989
  Male 466.68 ( 441.83 - 491.53 ) Setyobudi, 1989
  Combined 441.26 ( 361.86 - 467.56 ) Setyobudi, 1989
 
 
The rate of development in these stages increases more or less linearly with temperature but decreases gradually after developmental rate reaches a maximum (Riedl, 1983). According to Glenn (1922) this maximal value is 31°C for the egg, 29°C for the larva and 30°C for the pupa. Above these temperatures, mortality increases and at 38°/C, survival is very low. Exposure to temperature below 10°C, the lower physiological threshold, arrests development but is not lethal unless freezing occurs. Hibernating larvae are cold resistant and can survive temperature below -20°C. The lowest temperature tolerated by codling moth is around -31°C (Shel'Deshova, 1967). The cold hardiness is one of the specific ecological characters that is not subject to geographical variability. 
 

To summarize this, there is a considerable ecological differentiation in the annual cycle of the codling moth. All active stages need a comparatively high temperature with an optimum around 25°C and they perish under the prolong effect of temperatures below 10°C, whereas the diapausing stages are not merely capable of withstanding prolonged cooling, but need it, since it is essential for timely reactivation. So a seasonal alteration of temperature conditions during the year is essential to the normal existence of the codling moth. 
 

     
 HomeIndexNextLast