The Development and Fecundity of the Oriental Fruit Moth,Grapholitha(Cydia)molesta(Busck) under Controlled Temperatures and Humidities

Abstract

A study of the development and fecundity of the Oriental Fruit Moth, Grapholitha molesta (Busck), under controlled temperatures of 60°, 65°, 75°, 85° and 95°F. and relative humidities of 35, 70 and 100 per cent, was carried out at East Lansing, Michigan, in 1950–51. The technique adopted is described. The incubation period of the eggs decreased from 7–8 days at 60°F. to 2–76 days at 94°F., increasing to 3–56 days at 95°F. A large number of eggs withstood an exposure of 40 hours at 98°F., but an exposure of 48 hours proved fatal. An exposure of 21 hours to 105°F. reduced the viability of eggs to 25–43 per cent, and increased the incubation period by 36–40 hours.