Life tables and population parameters of sesame webworm Antigastra catalaunalis (Dup.) [Lepidoptera: Pyralidae] on sesame at different temperatures

This study examined the relationships of individual development and population growth with temperature based on an age-specific life table of A. catalaunalis reared on sesame leaves in the laboratory at 15, 20, 25, 30 and 35°C. The life table of this insect was not completed at 35°C because of the adults were not emerged from pupae at this temperature. The shortest values of adult pre-oviposition period and mean generation time were 2.6 days and 21.359 days, respectively at 30°C, while the highest values were 5.8 days and 75.770 days, respectively at 15°C. the fecundity, net reproductive rate (Ro) and intrinsic rate of increase (rm) were 78.05 eggs/female, 29.681 offspring and 0.159 days⁻¹, respectively at 30°C that exceeded their values at other temperatures. The results of this study indicated that A. catalaunalis has strong reproductive potential within 25–30°C, and that this temperature range could result in rapid population growth associated serious damage to sesame crop at an appropriate temperature.