Cold tolerance and trehalose accumulation in overwintering larvae of the codling moth, Cydia pomonella (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae)

Seasonal variations in the supercooling point, survival at low temperatures and sugar content were studied in field-collected codling moth larvae. The supercooling point of field-collected larvae decreased significantly from a mean value of -13.4 deg C in August 2004 (feeding larvae) to -22.0 deg C in December 2004 (overwintering larvae). Survival at -20 deg C/24 h was 0% during early autumn, whereas it increased to approximately 60% during winter. The survival at low temperature was well correlated with the supercooling point. The supercooling point of the diapause destined larvae decreased from -16.9 to -19.7 deg C between September and October as the larvae left the food source and spun a cocoon. For early-diapause larvae, exposure to 5 deg C/30 days has an additional effect and decreased the supercooling point from -19.7 to -21.3 deg C. One-month exposure of overwintering larvae to 5 deg C led to a mortality of 23% in early diapause larvae, while only 4% of diapause larvae died after acclimation. Overwintering larvae accumulated trehalose during winter. There was approximately a threefold increase in trehalose content between larvae at the onset of diapause (5.1 mg/g fresh weight) and larvae in a fully developed diapause (18.4 mg/g fresh weight) collected in January. Trehalose content was correlated with supercooling capacity, survival at low temperatures and chilling tolerance, suggesting that trehalose may play some role in the development of cold tolerance in this species.