Emergence and Reproductive Rhythms of Ephestia Kuehniela (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)

J. XU, Q. Wang and X.Z. HE

Institute of Natural Resources, Massey University, Palmerston North, Private Bag 11222, New Zealand 

Abstract:Mediterranean flour moth, Ephestia kuehniella, is a cosmopolitan pest of stored products, and its eggs are widely used to rear parasitoids and predators for biological control programmes. The laboratory investigations of circadian rhythms and lifespan patterns described in this paper have egg to adult than males. Emergence occurred throughout the 24 h cycle in both sexes with a peak at dusk. Mating mainly occurred during scotophase and peaked on the emergence day, while oviposition peaked 1 day after emergence. Calling, courtship and mating peaked in the second half of scotophase, and oviposition peaked at the start of scotophase. Permanently Dissection of dead females showed the number of spermatophores in the bursa copulatrix equalled the number of observed matings.