Population Projection and Development of the Mythimna loreyi (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) as Affected by Temperature: Application of an Age-Stage, Two-Sex Life Table

The Mythimna (=Leucania) loreyi (Duponchel) has recently emerged as a major pest of grain crops in China. Little is known about its basic biology and ecology, making it difficult to predict its population dynamics. An age-stage, two-sex life table was constructed for this insect when reared on maize in the laboratory at five constant temperatures (18, 21, 24, 27, and 30 °C). Both the intrinsic rate of increase (r) and finite rate increase (λ) increased as temperature significantly increased and mean generation time (T) decreased significantly with increasing temperature. The highest values for net reproductive rate (R0) and fecundity were observed at 24 °C. However, M. loreyi was able to develop, survive, and lay eggs at all temperatures tested (18-30 °C). Development rates at different temperatures for the egg, larval, pupal, as well as for a total preoviposition period, fit a linear equation. The lower threshold temperatures of egg, larval, pupal, preoviposition, and total preoviposition period were 8.83, 10.95, 11.67, 9.30, and 9.65 °C, respectively. And their effective accumulated temperatures were 87.64, 298.51, 208.33, 66.47, and 729.93 degree-days, respectively. This study provides insight into the temperature-based phenology and population ecology in M. loreyi. The results will benefit population dynamics monitoring, prediction, and management of this insect pest in the field.