Effects of Different Photoperiods on Pupal Period, Pre-Adult Development Time and Adult Longevity of Achroia Grisella (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)

The effect of different photoperiods on the pupal period, pre-adult total developmental period and longevity of Achroia grisella (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) was investigated at 28 ± 2°C and 65 ± 5% relative humidity. Five different photoperiod regimens (eighteen hours of light, six hours of dark (18L;6D), twelve hours of light, twelve hours of dark (12L;12D), six hours of light, eighteen hours of dark (6L;18D), continuous light (CL) and continuous dark (CD)) were applied in experimental studies. The adults and larvae were fed with combs which did not have honey. The longest pre-adult total developmental period was obtained on CL conditions (49.23 ± 3.10 days), while the shortest pre-adult total developmental period was with CD conditions (40.26 ± 2.79 days). Pupal period was found as 7.03 ± 0.71, 6.76 ± 0.85, 6.83 ± 0.74, 6.10 ± 0.66, and 6.60 ± 0.77 days under CL, 18L;6D, 12L;12D, 6L;18D and CD conditions, respectively. The shortest value of pupal period was on 6L;18D whereas the longest value was with CL. In terms of longevity, males lived longer than females under all photoperiod conditions. Male longevity was almost constant among different photoperiod groups. The shortest longevity in females was found under 6L;18D and CD conditions. In general, females were found to have increased longevity under longer light conditions