Mortality of Indianmeal Moth under Changing Temperatures: Model Development and Validation

摘要

A model for predicting mortality of Indianmeal moth larvae [Plodia interpunctella (Hubner)] under changing low-temperature conditions was developed. The time and temperature combinations required to achieve 100% mortality of field-collected, cold-acclimated P. interpunctella larvae obtained from laboratory mortality experiments were used to develop the mortality model. Accumulation of mortality rate over time was called the Cumulative Lethality Index (CLI). Complete mortality of insect population would occur when CLI equals one. Measured mortalities of field-collected, cold-acclimated P. interpunctella larvae in a total of five 76.2-t (3,000 bu) shelled corn bins located in Rosemount, Minnesota during the winters of 2003-2004 and 2004-2005 were usedto validate the mortality model (i.e., CLI model). Excellent agreement between predicted and measured time to 100% larval mortality was observed. The CLI model would be useful for developing low-temperature aeration management strategies for controllingoverwintering P. interpunctella in grain bins.