New Zealand Journal of Agricultural Research abstracts

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Relative susceptibility to desiccation of eggs and young larvae of the pasture pest Wiseana copularis (Lepidoptera: Hepialidae)

K. M. STEWART

AgResearch
Invermay Agricultural Centre
Private Bag 50034
Mosgiel, New Zealand

Present address: Department of Biological Sciences, De Montfort University, The Gateway, Leicester LE1 9BH, United Kingdom.

Abstract  Newly hatched larvae of the pasture pest Wiseana copularis were shown to be much more susceptible to desiccation than eggs, except those in the process of hatching. When held at about 0% Relative Humidity in the laboratory, all larvae died within 6.5 h, but most eggs survived 12 h desiccation, and some survived 48 h. As eggs aged, their susceptibility increased. None hatched at 0% RH. The significance of these observations to pest control in New Zealand is discussed.

Keywords  insect eggs; insect larvae; insect pest; pasture pest; Wiseana; porina; Hepialidae; Lepidoptera; desiccation

New Zealand Journal of Agricultural Research, 2001, Vol. 44: 177-180

0028-8233/01/4402&3-0177 $7.00/0 (c) The Royal Society of New Zealand 2001

PDF file of entire paper: medium quality (303K); (scanned from paper original: notes about this process)

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