Oviposition by the Almond Moth, Cadra cautella,1 in Response to Falling Temperature and Onset of Darkness

Abstract

Oviposition by Cadra cautella (Walker) occurred in response to onset of darkness with a photophase of 16 hours at constant 25°C, to the falling portion of the sinusoidal temperature cycle with 24-hour period and 25°C mean in continuous light or to both stimuli, regardless of the order, when they were produced sequentially. Oviposition was arhythmic at constant 25°C in continuous light. Laboratory and field strains responded similarly. The minimum rate of temperature change required to induce oviposition was between 0.15 and 0.3°C per hour, and an increase in the rate to 0.5 or 1.0°C per hour did not further shorten the period of oviposition.