Thermal Requirements, Fertility, and Number of Generations of Neoleucinodes elegantalis (Guenée) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae)

The small tomato borer Neoleucinodes elegantalis (Guenée) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) is one of the major pests of solanaceous in Central and South America. Little is known about the role of temperature on the biological traits of this species. Development time of the immature stages and longevity and reproduction of adults of N. elegantalis at constant temperatures (15, 20, 25, 27, and 30 ± 1°C) were determined when larvae were fed on fruits of the tomato hybrid “Paronset.” Neoleucinodes elegantalis completed its life cycle at temperatures between 15°C and 27°C, indicating that it can remain active throughout the year in the subtropical region of Brazil. The temperature threshold (T ₜ) was 8.8°C for the egg stage and 7.7°C for the larval and pupal stages. The small tomato borer required 588.2 degrees-day for its full development. At 30°C, the eggs were infertile, indicating that temperatures above 27°C are deleterious to the fertilization/embryonic development of the studied population of N. elegantalis. The number of generations of N. elegantalis per year in the Brazilian subtropical region is lower than for populations developing in warmer tropical areas. A relationship was found between the number of generations and the increase in latitude.