Effects of temperature on adult velvetbean caterpillar [Anticarsia gemmatalis] oviposition, egg hatch, and longevity

Effects of temperature on velvetbean caterpillar (VBC), Anticarsia gemmatalis Huebner (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), oviposition, egg hatch, and adult longevity were investigated at 3 regimes: (1) constant temperatures of 21.1 degree . 23.9 degree , 26.7 degree . 29.4 degree , and 32.2 degree C (on artificial diet); (2) variable temperatures simulating "summer" at Gainesville, FL (artifical diet and soybean foliage); (3) field-reared adults (in cages on soybean). Mean oviposition was highest at 26.7 degree C (842.2 egg/female) and lowest at 32.2 degree (310.0 eggs/female) constant. Peak average daily oviposition was higher for young females and was delayed as temperatures decreased. Mean egg hatch was high initially but decreased with maternal age. Female longevity varied from a mean of 24.8 days (21.1 degree C) to 11.2 days (32.2 degree C). Unmated females lived significantly ( alpha = .05) longer than mated females at a given temperature.