488 J. W. Van Sambeek, J. R .

Bridges

GOLDMAN, S. E.; FRANKLIN, R. T., 1977: Development and feeding habits of southern pine beetle
larvae. Ann. Entomol. SOC.Am. 70, 54-56.
HUGHES, P. R.; RENWICK, J. A. A., 1977: Neural and hormonal control of pheromone biosyn-
thesis in the bark beetle, Ips paraconfusus. Physiol. Entomol. 2, 117-123.
- 1977: Hormonal and host factors stimulating pheromone synthesis in female western pine
beetle, Dendroctonus brevicomis. Physiol. Entomol. 2, 289-292.
IBARAKI, A.; SAHOTA,T. S., 1976: Effect of insect growth regulators on survival of Douglas-fir
beetles progeny. Canadian For. Serv. Bi-Monthly Res. Notes 32, 3, 5.
JACOBSON, M.; REDFERN, R. E.; MILLS,G. D., Jr., 1975: Naturally occurring insect growth
rerrulators. 11. Screenine of insect and plant extracts as insect iuvenile hormone mimics.
LGydia 38, 455472. "
LITCHFIELD,I. T., lr.; WILCOXON, F., 1949: A simplified method of evaluating dose-effect
I

experimknk. J..Pkarmacol. Exp. Ther. 96, 99-113.

MANSINGH, A.; SAHOTA, T. S.; SHAW, D. A., 1970: Juvenile hormone activity in the wood and
bark extracts of some forest trees. Can. Entomol. 202, 49-53.
NOVAK,V.; SEHNAL,F.; ROMANUK, M.; STREINZ,L., 1976: Responses and sensitivity of Ips
typographus L. (Col., Scolytidae) and Hylobius abietis L. (Col., Curculiondae) to juvenoids. 2.
ang. Ent. 80, 118-131.
SAHOTA, T. S.; CHAPMAN, J. A.; NIJHOLT,W. W., 1970: Ovary development in a scolytid beetle
Dendroctonus pseudotsugae (Coleoptera: Scolytidae): effect of farnesyl methyl ether. Can.
Entomol. 102, 1424-1428.
SLAMA,K.; ROMANUK, M.; SORM, F., 1974: Insect hormones and bioanalogues. New York,
Springer-Verlag, 477 pp.
STAAL.G. B.. 1972: Bioloeical activitv and bioassav of iuvenile hormone analogs. " In: Menn. 1. "1.;
. I .
Beioza, M.(eds.), Insict Juvenil; Hormones, pp. 69-94.
- 1975: Insect growth regulators with juvenile hormone activity. Ann. Rev. Entomol. 20,
417460.
THATTE, S. J.; TONAPI, G . T., 1978: Effect of J H analogues on the rate of metabolism in the adult
cockroaches. Indian J. Exp. Biol. 16, 1008-1010.
VANSAMBEEK, J. W., 1978: Pupicidal and juvenilization activity of bark extractives from loblolly
pine for the southern pine beetle. Plant Physiol. (Suppl.) 61, 23.

Authors' address: Dr. J. W. VANSAMBEEK, Plant Physiologist and Dr. J. R. BRIDGES,Research

Entomologist, Southern Forest Experiment Station, U. S. Forest Service, 2500
Shreveport Hwy., Pineville, LA 71360

Royal Tropical Institute, Department of Agricultural Research, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Laboratory observations on the development of the rice moth

Corcyra cephalonica (Stainton) (Lepidoptera: Galleriinae) on
millet and sorghum at 28°C and different relative humidities
By V. M. RUSSELL,
G.G. M. SCKULTEN
and F. A. ROORDA

Abstract
A laboratory study was made on the development of two strains, T originating from Tchad and C
from the Cameroon, of Corcyru cephalonica(Stainton) (Lep. Galleriinae) on millet and sorghum at
28 "C and different R.H.'s.
The moisture contents of the grains in equilibrium with the R.H.'s tested were as follows:
Millet 70 YOR.H. (12.98 %), 30 Yo R.H. (8.11 YO),20 Yo R.H. (6.62 YO)and 10 YOR.H. (5.53 %);
Sorghum 70 YOR.H. (12.17 YO),30 YOR.H. (8.27 YO)and 20 YOR.H. (6.80 %).

U.S. Copyright Clearance Center Code Statement: 0044-2240/80/8905-0488 $ 02.50/0

Z. ang. Ent. 89 (1980), 488498
0 1980 Verlag Paul Parey, Hamburg und Berlin
ISSN 0044-2240 / ASTM-Coden: ZANEAE
1.aboratory observations on development of C. cephalonica on millet and sorghum a t 28 "C 489

The following mean developmental periods in days (egg-hatch-adult) were obtained:

T-strain on millet, 70 YOR.H. (9 33.28, 6 33.64), 30 /o' R.H. (9 55.71, 6 53.11), 20 % R.H.
(9 69.70, d 57.68), 10 % R.H. ( 9 100.77, 6 87.25); T-strain o n sorghum, 70 YO R.H. ( 0 46.00, d
46.88), 30 Yo R.H. ( P 70.00, 6 64.75), 20 YO R.H. ( P 74.50, 6 65.93); C-strain on millet, 70 %
R.H. ( 0 41.00, 6 40.94), 30 % R.H. (9 55.71, 6 53.11), 20 % R.H. ( P 79.00, 6 69.73), 10 %
R.H. (100 % mortality); C-strain o n sorghum, 70 % R.H. (9 58.33, 6 51.50), 30 % R.H. (9
68.25, 6 62.17), 20 Yo R.H. ( P 96.00, 6 141.00), 95.9 YO mortality.
Adult weight and fore wing length decreased gradually at lower R.H., but the mean adult
weight and fore wing length of the T-strain was greater than that of the C-strain under all
conditions. The T-strain originating from the Sahel is considered better adapted for development
under dry conditions than the C-strain which came from the humid african west coast. Females
had in general one instar more than males bred at the same R.H. The number of instars increased at
lower R.H. At 70 YO R.H. there were 7 instars in the female and 6 in the male, at 30 YOR.H. resp.
10 and 9, at 20 % R.H. resp. 11 and 10 and at 10 % R.H. resp. 12 and 11. In certain cultures
exceptionally large numbers of instars were produced.
The number of eggs laid by adult females ranged from 18 to 467 and was correlated with body
weight, the heaviest adults laying the most eggs. Unfertilized females produced as many eggs at
70 % R.H. as fertilized females but at 30 % R.H. egg production of unfertilized females was
considerably lower. No drinking of water was observed in females, even under dry conditions.
The T-strain performed as well at 35 "C and 70 YO R.H. as at 28 "C. Fertility of males does not
seem to become impaired by the high temperature. The results obtained in this study are discussed
in relation to control of C. cephalonica.

1 Introduction

The rice moth Corcyra cephalonica is a storage pest of cereals and oilseeds with
a wide distribution in subtropical and tropical areas. This species is frequently
imported into the temperate regions with produce such as rice, rice bran,
groundnuts and cocoa beans, originating especially from South East Asia and
West Africa and to a lesser extent from South America (FREEMAN 1973 and
own observations). During a study on storage conditions in Tchad by the
second author in 1978, C. cephalonica was found to be a very common pest of
bagged millet and sorghum in warehouses in N'Djamena. This species was also
frequently observed in millet and sorghum stored in houses in rural areas.
During a visit to Ouagadougou (Upper Volta) in 1978, warehouses and
small storehouses in the surrounding area were found to be moderately or
heavily infested by this species and it was also found in small numbers in millet
and sorghum stored in traditional cribs. The importance of C. cephalonica as a
pest of stored threshed sorghum in Nigeria is mentioned by PREVETT (1963).
The development of C. cephalonica on stored products has been studied by
several authors. Its life cycle in the United States was briefly sketched by
CHITTENDEN (1919). AWAR(1934) described the adult and immature stages
and gave an account of its biology and developmental period on different foods
under Indian conditions. No data were provided on environmental conditions.
A more detailed study on food range and development at temperatures
between approx. 15.5 "C and 32.5 "C and a R.H. of above 63.5 YO was
conducted by RAO (1954).
According to HOWE (1965) the minimum temperature and R.H. necessary
for development of C. cephalonica is resp. 18 "C and 30 % R.H., the optimum
temperature 28-32 "C with a R.H. of over 66 %.
A field and laboratory study was made in Egypt by KAMELand HASSANEIN
(1967). At 25.5 "C and 75 % R.H. mean developmental periods (egg-hatch-
adult) ranged from 46.5 to 77 d depending on the type of food. Developmental
490 V. M. Russell, G. G. M. Schulten, F. A . Roorda

periods were prolonged at lower R.H.'s. Population increase at 26.5 "C and
73 YO R.H. on crushed sorghum was determined by TEOTIA and SINGH (1975).
Under above mentioned conditions the mean time for completing a generation
was 44.97 d.
There is little information available to date on the development of this
species under controlled conditions on stored sorghum and no information as
to millet.
In the sahelian zone the, in general, low relative humidity and the low
moisture content of the grains is likely to have a strong impact on population
development of storage pests.
T o take effective and economic measures to control C. cephalonica in
warehouses, data on the development of this insect under different environ-
mental conditions is essential. Therefore a study was made on the development
of C. cephalonica on millet and sorghum of different moisture contents, using
an insect strain and cereals which were collected in a warehouse in Tchad. For
comparison a strain of C. cephalonica originating from the Cameroon was also
studied. The results obtained are reported here.

2 Materials and methods

2.1 Insect stocks and grain varieties

Tchad strain: This strain was founded from twenty larvae, collected in a warehouse in N'Djamena
(Tchad) in 1978. After transfer to The Netherlands a culture was started on millet. Eggs from
adults of the 2nd generation onwards were used in the experiments.
Cameroon strain: This strain was founded from ten larvae collected in 1978 on cocoa beans
which had been imported from the Cameroon via Douala to Rotterdam. The strain was
maintained on rolled oats to which some glycerin had been added. The strain was used from the
3rd generation onwards.
Both strains were maintained at 28 "C and 70 % R.H. and under a light regime of 12 h li ht and
12 h dark. N o signs of bacterial diseases were observed during breeding of the stocfm and
conducting the experiments.
The millet variety was collected in a warehouse in N'Djamena and had an initial moisture
content of 6-7 Y o . The colour is greyish-green and the grain size 3.1 x 1.7mm. About 10 % of the
grains were visibly damaged by various causes. The red sorghum variety was collected in the same
warehouse and was of a similar moisture content. The grain size of the red sorghum was approx.
4.8 X 3.8 mm and the grain damage was 18 %.

2.2 Experimental procedure

Conditioning of the cereals to moisture contents in equilibrium with 20, 30 and 70 % R.H. was
done for five weeks in dessicators over potassium hydroxide solutions of appropriate specific
gravity. To obtain an atmosphere of 10 % R.H. a sulphuric acid solution was used (SOLOMON
1951). Moisture content of the grains was determined in duplicate, at the beginning, middle and
end of the experiments. The method used involved drying the grain in an oven at 103 "C for 72
hours and determining the subsequent weight loss. The difference between the various determina-
tions was less than 0.62 %. Throughout the experimental period the dessicators were aired twice a
week and the solutions were replaced every four or five weeks. Experiments were conducted at
28 "C, unless otherwise stated.
Eggs were obtained from 5-10 new1 emerged moths which had been taken at random from
the stock culture. The adults were conined in small plastic cages with a wire gauze bottom (36
meshes/cm*) through which the eggs fell into a collecting tray. The eggs were collected daily,
transferred to petri dishes and incubated at 28 "C and 70 % R.H. Newly hatched larvae were
transferred singly using a fine brush to 7.5 x 2.5 cm glass tubes half filled with either millet or
Laboratory observations on development of C. cephalonzca on millet and sorghum a t 28°C 491

sorghum (10 g) of different moisture contents. Approximately 50 larvae were used for each grain
sort at each R.H. The tubes were sealed with plastic film and kept in dessicators over the
appropriate solutions. At the expected time of adult emergence, the tubes were checked daily.
Emerged adults were immobilized by cooling, weighed, sexed and the length of the right fore wing
was measured. To measure fecundity, newly emerged adults were confined in pairs in open-ended
glass tubes (7.5 X 2.5 cm). The top end of the tube was sealed with plastic film and the bottom end
by nylon gauze secured with an elastic band. The tubes were placed upright in ice-making trays
and any eg s laid fell through the gauze into the tray. Eggs were collected and counted every 2 d.
Instar numters were determined by counting the cast head capsules in a number of cultures.

3 Results

The moisture contents of the grains in equilibrium with the R.H. of the
surrounding air as obtained by using appropriate chemical solutions are shown
in table 1. Above 20 % R.H. the relation refers to absorption and below it to
desorption. Moisture contents of millet and sorghum stored in warehouses in
N'Djamena in May/June ranged from 5-7 %.

Table 1. Moisture contents in O/O in relation to relative humidity of millet and sorghum used in the
experiments
% R.H. % Moisture content
Millet Sorghum

10 5.53 f 0.58
20 6.62 f 0.25 6.80 f 0.32
30 8.11 f 0.18 8.27 f 0.08
70 12.98 f 0.53 12.17 f 0.34

Table 2. Duration of development and percentage of successful cultures of C.cephalonica on millet

and sorghum at 28 "C and different relative humidities

P Egg-hatch - adult (d) 6 Egg-hatch - adult (d)

% R.H. strain % adults mean k S.E. range mean k S.E. range larvae used

10 T 36.0 100.77 f 3.19 80-1 13 87.25 f 3.59 83-98 50

10 c 0.0 - - 50
20 T 80.0 69.70 f 1.35 60-78 57.68 f 1.43 47-74 50
Mil- 20 C 38.0 79.00 f 1.47 75-82 69.73 f 2.81 55-82 50
let 30 T 41.2 47.89 f 1.88 38-58 39.25 f 0.76 35-44 51
30 C 34.8 55.71 f 3.69 46-76 53.11 f 5.63 40-54 46
70 T 36.0 33.28 f 0.61 31-35 33.64 f 0.43 31-36 50
70 C 69.7 41.00 f 1.44 25-56 40.94 f 1.21 36-54 49
20 T 44.0 74.50 f 2.50 65-84 65.93 f 0.65 64-74 50
20 C 4.1 96 (1 spec.) 141.0 (1 spec.) 49
Sorg- 30 T 25.4 70.00 f 7.57 58-84 64.75 f 3.12 58-78 51
hum 30 C 22.0 68.25 k 3.71 58-75 62.17 f 3.51 55-78 50
70 T 58.0 46.00 f 1.66 36-54 46.88 f 4.12 3 1-97 50
70 C 48.0 58.33 f 4.31 38-82 51.50 f 5.97 34-68 50
T = Tchad strain: C = CaLmeroon strain

3.1 Duration of development

The duration of development of C. cephulonicu from hatching until adult

emergence at 28 "C and with millet or sorghum of different moisture contents
492 V. M . Russell, G. G. M . Schulten, F. A . Roorda

as food is represented in
table 2. In computing the
means some cultures have
been left out because of the
exceptionally long develop-
mental period of the larvae.
These cultures will be refer-
red to separately. The de-
velopment of females takes
in general longer than males.
According to KAMEL and
HASSANEIN (1967) the dura-
tion of the pupal period is
independant of R.H. and
lasts about 9 days at 28 "C.
Therefore the differences in
duration of development at
the R.H.'s tested must be
ascribed to the influence of
the moisture content of the
grains on the duration of lar-
val development. Data show
that the drier the grain, the
longer the developmental
period. Development pro-
ceeds quicker on millet at all
moisture contents compared
with sorghum.
There appears to be no
obvious relationship bet-
ween the percentage of lar-
vae reaching adulthood and
moisture content of the
grains. Most mortality took
place among the small lar-
vae, and none among the
pupae. About half of the
adults which had developed
on millet at 10 % R.H. died
during or immediately after
emergence with their wings
still unfolded.
Developmental periods
of the Tchad strain were in
0000000
-wmmmI\I\
000000
N N m m h h
general shorter than those of
the Cameroon strain. It was
impossible to breed the
Cameroon strain in signific-
ant numbers at R.H. 20 %
on sorghum and at R.H.
10 % on millet.
Laboratory observations on development of C. cephalonica on millet and sorghum at 28°C 493

3.2 Adult weight and wing length

In table 3 the adult weights after emergence and their right fore wing lengths
are demonstrated. The weight of adults and their wing length depends clearly
on the moisture content of the grains on which the larvae have fed, the heaviest
and largest adults being found at a high moisture content. The Tchad strain
again performed better than the Cameroon strain under all conditions tested.

3.3 Number of larval instars

Since the same numbers of head capsules, indicating the number of instars,
were found in cultures with millet and sorghum of the same moisture content
the data have been pooled together and are shown in table 4. The number of
instars clearly increases at lower moisture contents and appears to be corre-
lated with the length of the developmental period of the larvae. Females had
one instar more than males at all moisture contents tested. In table 5 numbers
of instars are given for some larvae with exceptionally long developmental
periods. The increase in instars did not result in heavier or larger adults.

Table 4. Number of instars of C. cephalonica developing at 28 "C on millet and sorghum at

different relative humidities

Development period
YO R.H No. examined (mean-days) Ranee Instars

70 [: 9
12
12
45.55
40.16
64.66
36-54
31-55
56-70
7
6
10
30 [: 10 62.90 53-78 9
11 70.63 60-78 11
*O [: 10 60.80 56-70 10
6 99.86 80-113 12
4 87.25 83-98 11

T d l e 5 . Developmental periods, adult weights, fore wing lengths and number of instars of some
cultures with exceptionally long developmental periods

Development Wing length

Sex Strain Grain % R.H. period (d) weight (mg) (mm) Instars

d C millet 30 97 5.6 7.1 11

d C sorghum 70 108 7.1 6.8 12
0' T millet 10 155' - - 18
0 C millet 20 111 6.2 6.8 15
0 T sorghum 30 115 16.4 9.6 13
T = Tchad strain; C = Cameroon strain
Died during pupation. '
- Up to pupation
I
494 V. M . Russell, G. G. M.Schulten, F. A. Roorda

3.4 Fecundity and longevity

The relation between adult weight and fecundity of fertilized females is

indicated in fig. 1. The number of eggs produced ranged from 18 to 467 eggs
and is clearly related to adult weight. During the experiments it appeared that
varying numbers of eggs were deposited by unfertilized females and this
appeared to be dependant of R.H. To obtain more data on this phenomenon,
freshly emerged females, bred on a mixture of rolled oats and glycerin at 28 "C
and 70 YOR.H., were individually placed in an egg-laying cage, either with or
without a male in order to determine egg production and longevity at 28 "C
and resp. 30 % and 70 % R.H. O n the death of the female, the abdomen was
dissected to determine whether all eggs had been deposited. The results are
shown in table 6 .

450

$ 400
h
350

300

.. / .
/
250

200

150
. I

/:
100 / -

50

I
5 10 15 20 25 30
Weigh hng)

Relationship between fecundity and adult weight of fertilized C. cephalonica females

Laboratory observations on development of C. cephalonica on millet and sorghum at 28°C 495

Fecundity was extremely variable under all conditions. At 70 % R.H. all

fertilized and unfertilized moths laid eggs, the average number per female
being the same in both groups. However, the majority of females failed to lay
their full quota of eggs as seen by the varying number of eggs found remaining
in the females after death. The mean longevity of unfertilized females was
larger for which no explanation can be given. At 30 % R.H. the mean
fecundity per fertilized female was about the same as at 70 YO.So the low R.H.
does not seem to have an influence on the fecundity of fertilized females. Of
the unfertilized females four did not lay eg s at all while three females laid few
K
eggs. O n the other hand, three females aid their full quota of eggs. The
longevity of unfertilized females was longer. In the experiments described
here, the adults were not given drinking water since no drinking by adults had
been observed, in preliminary experiments even when kept at low R.H.

Table 6. Fecundity and longevity of fertilized and unfertilized females of C. cephalonica at 70 O/O

and 30 O/O R.H.

Fe~tilized Unfertilized
Egg production Longevity Egg production Longevity
% R.H. n mean k S.E. days n mean ? S.E. days

70 11 170.27 ? 32.74 12.5 10 171.50 k 19.94 17.0

30 9 165.44 k 34.31 9.3 10 94.10 ? 35.88 15.0

No. of eggs retained after death

0-20 20-100 >lo0 eggs 0-20 20-100 >lo0 all eggs
70 409 399 499 299 7PP 19
30 6PP 299 19 399 19 299 490

3.5 Development at high temperature

The Tchad strain was bred at 35 “C and 70 % R.H. on millet to determine its
erformance at a temperature higher than the “optimum” temperature. The
f k a l mortality, mean develo mental period, adult weight and wing length did
cp
not differ significantly from ata obtained at 28 “C. There were no indications
that the fertility of males was impaired by this high temperature.

4 Discussion

The observed developmental periods of C. cephalonica are in general agree-

ment with the ublished data on this species. In the study here reported, the
1
main emphasis as been placed on development at low R.H. and consequently
on grains of a low moisture content. The moisture content of grains may effect
the population development of C. cephalonica in several ways which are
interacting and difficult to separate. Firstly, dry grain may be less easily
attacked by 1st instar larvae than grain of a higher moisture content. The
percentage of successful cultures is however rather variable and not related to
moisture content except in the case of the Cameroon strain at 10 YO and 20 Yo
R.H. In an experiment on loss determination, which is not yet finalized, it was
tried to start cultures on millet and sorghum, selected for visibly undamaged
grains, at 20 % and 70 % R.H. All cultures in two experiments, each with 50
496 V. M. Russell, G. G. M . Schwlten, F. A . Roorda

replicates, failed. The success of a culture therefore depends in the first place
on the availability of already damaged grains. Mortality of 1st instar larvae may
be increased by low moisture content as the data at 10 70 and 20 % R.H.
suggest. The larval period is prolonged and the number of instars increased at
lower moisture contents. Probably the larva needs a prolonged feeding period
in order to eat through the dry, hard food and to obtain the necessary water. In
addition the larva may metabolize the required water from its food as was
demonstrated by FRAENKEL and BLEWETT(1943) for E. kuehniella Zell. and
other storage pests. The fact that the number of instars on dry food increases
but the adult weight decreases clearly indicates that the dry food has become
inadequate from a nutritional point of view. Females have one instar more than
males. This is in agreement with the observation by RAO(1954) but contrary to
that of AYYAR(1934). The observation that some larvae had exceptionally long
developmental periods had also been made by AYYAR (1934) and KAMELand
HASSANEIN (1967). This phenomenon is not uncommon in storage pests
(HOWE 1966). The number of eggs produced is similar to ublished data. As in
B
many Lepidoptera species the fecundity is related to a ult weight (NORRIS
1934). The incidence of unfertilized females producing large numbers of eggs,
the more so at a high R.H., is puzzling since natural selection is expected to
select against these females. A possible explanation could be that production of
unfertilized eggs in some way or other stimulates pheromone production,
increasing the chance of these females becoming fertilized.
Developmental period and adult weight at 35 "C and 70 70 R.H. were
similar to those obtained at 28 "C and 70 % R.H., showing that the optimum
temperature for development of C. cephulonicu is probably higher than
mentioned in the literature.
The overall performance of both strains was better on millet than on
sorghum. This is probably due to the larger number of nutrient-rich germs
which are eaten by larvae developing on millet.
The data presented here show that C. cephulonicu is well adapted for
population development in semi-arid areas. It has to be kept in mind, however,
that this species is also an important pest in humid climates. The wide plasticity
in this species can be explained by the presence of strains, different in their
reaction to the environment as was found between the Tchad and Cameroon
strains.
The main cause why this species replaces Ephestiu cuutellu (Walker), the
most common warehouse pest in the tropics and subtropics in semi-arid areas,
is robably its better performance on grains of low moisture content and its
B
in ependence of R.H. and drinking water for egg deposition. The lower limit
of R.H. for E. cuutelkz is about 20 % (BURGESand HASKINS 1965). Fecundity
is optimal at 90 % R.H. and decreases at lower R.H.'s (TULI,MOOKHERJEE
and SHARMA1966), while the adults need drinking water under all circum-
stances to lay their full complement of eggs (NORRIS 1934). It is unlikely that
the moisture content of grains stored in dry areas will drop to such a low level
that infestation by C. cephulonicu becomes impossible.
Observations in the field show that infestation is similar to that of E .
cuutellu viz. the outer layers of bags in stacks become infested but only a
shallow top layer of grains in bulk. Population development will depend on
the moisture content of the grain. The higher the moisture content, the faster
the larvae develop, the heavier the adults and consequently the larger the egg
production will be. Population development in C. cephulonica seems in general
Laboratory observations on development of C. cephalonica on millet and sorghum at 28°C 497

to be slower than in E. cautellz (HOWE 1965) and therefore control should be

easier. In this respect the elimination of an already present population before
the rainy season starts seems to be of utmost importance in measures to control
this species.

Zusamrnenfassung

Laboruntersuchungen uber die Entwickbng won Corcyra cephalonica (Stainton) (Lep. Galleriinae)
auf Hirse und SoTghum bei 28 " C und bei werschiedenen relatiwen Feuchtigkeiten
Es betrug der Feuchtigkeitsgehalt von: Hirse 70 'YO r.F. (12,98 YO);30 % r.F. ( 8 , l l YO); 20 YO r.F.
(6,62 YO) und 10 YO (5,53 Yo). Sorghum 70 % r.F. (12,17 Yo); 30 % r.F. (8,27 YO)und 20 YO r.F.
(6,80 Yo).
Die Untersuchung erfolgte mit 2 Stammen von C. cephalonicu, die aus Tschad und Kamerun
stammten; Hirse und Sorghum stammten aus Tschad. Bei allen relativen Feuchtigkeiten entwik-
kelte der Stamm aus Tschad sich gut auf Hirse und Sorghum. Die Entwicklungsdauer (Larve-
Imago) nahm bei abnehmender relativen Feuchtigkeit allmahlich zu. Bei 10 '7" r.F. entwickelte der
Stamm aus Kamerun sich nicht auf Hirse, wihrend bei 20 % r.F. nur einige Larven auf Sorghum
zur Entwicklung gelangten.
Die Entwicklungsgeschwindigkeit war bei allen relativen Feuchtigkeiten bei beiden Stammen
groi3er auf Hirse als auf Sorghum. Der Stamm aus Tschad entwickelte sich in allen Fallen schneller
als der Stamm aus Kamerun, auch waren im Durchschnitt die Adulten schwerer und ihr rechter
Flugel gro8er. Im allgemeinen hatten die weiblichen Larven ein Stadium mehr als die mannlichen
Larven. Die Zahl der Larvenstadien nahm bei geringerer Feuchtigkeit zu.
Die Zahl der abgelegten Eier war positiv mit dem Korpergewicht korreliert; die schwersten
Motten legten die meisten Eier.
Bei 70 YO r.F. legten befruchtete Weibchen ebenso viele Eier wie nicht befruchtete, jedoch war
bei 30 YO r.F. die Zahl der Eier befruchteter Weibchen bedeutend geringer. Auch bei niedriger rel.
Feuchtigkeit tranken Motten kein Wasser. Der Stamm aus Tschad entwickelte sich sowohl bei
35 W 7 0 YO r.F. als auch bei 28 "C/70 % r.F.
Die erzielten Ergebnisse werden in bezug auf die Bekampfung von C. cephalonica diskutiert.

References

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BURGES,H. D.; HASKINS, K. P. F., 1965: Life-cycle of the tropical warehouse moth Cadra cautella
(Wlk.), at controlled tem eratures and humidities. Bull. ent. Res. 55, 775-789.
CHITTENDEN, F. H., 1919: l%e Rice-Moth. Bull. U.S. Dep. Agric. no. 783.
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stored products insects. Trans. R. ent. SOC. London 93, 457490.
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Publ.
HOWE, R. W., 1965: A summary of estimates of optimal and minimal conditions for population
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- 1966: Developmental eriod, and the shape of the curve representing it in stored products
beetles. J. Stored Prod! Res. 2, 117-134.
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London 333-360.
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sorghum stored on the head in Northern Nigeria. Bull. ent. Res. 54, 5-8.
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SOLOMON, M. E., 1951: Control of humidity with potassium hydroxide, sulphuric acid or other
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498 V. M. Russell, G. G. M. Schulten, F. A . Roorda

TEOTIA,T. P. S.; SINGH,Y.,1975: Studies on the growth of population of Corcyru cephalonicu

Stainton. Indian J. Ent. 37, 277-285.
TULI,S.; MOOKHERJEE, P. B.; SHARMA, G. C., 1966: Effect of temperature and humidity on the
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Authors’ address: Royal Tropical Institute, Department of AgricuItural Research, 63 Mauritskade,
Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Institut f u r Genetik, Johannes-Gutenberg-Universitat, Maim

X-Ray induced sterility, dominant lethality and inherited

semisterility in Anopheles pharoensis The0 (Dipt., Culicidae)
B y A. SHOUKRY

Abstract
Males 3-days old of the mosquito Anopheles phuroensis were x-irradiated with doses from 500 till
5000 r at a dose rate of 108 r/min and crossed immediately after irradiation with untreated virgin
females. Sterility was calculated in the first three successive egg batches. Dose response was
represented by a linear sterility curve with rapid increase in lower doses. The percent of induced
dominant lethality was shown mainly in the egg stage of the offspring by a lethality curve almost
parallel to the sterility one. The hatched larvae were reared to F 1 adults. All individuals of F 1
resulting from doses 1, 2 and 3 kr were back crossed to the other sex, mass mated for three days
and the females were se arated individually and checked for semisterility. The percent of inherited
semisterility increased Prom 40 O/O and 33.3 O/O at 1 and 2 kr to 75 O/O at 3 kr. The present paper
indicates that a dose of 3000 r seems to be promising in inducing high percentage of chromosomal
aberration in the mosquito A. Phuroensis.

1 Introduction

With the growing understanding of problems resulting from insecticidal pest

control, notable progress has been achieved in recent years in the field of insect
pest control through genetic manipulations of insect populations. The inher-
ited semisterility associated with chromosomal translocation seems to stand
first in that respect. Although the theory was early suggested by SEREBROVSKY
(1940), it was not until the late sixtieth that it was rediscovered and demon-
strated by CURTIS (1968) in the tsetse fly, LAVEN(1968) in mosquitoes and
WAGONER et al. (1969) in the house fl . In a recent comparative theorotical
B
evaluation of the various genetic metho s, KNIPLING and KLASSEN (1976) came
to the conclusion that the efficiency of translocation strains in suppressing
populations was extremely high relative to most other genetic mechanisms.
Several translocation strains have been successfully produced in a number
of insect pests specially mosquitoes. Apparently few of them were reported in
anopheline mosquitoes, e. g. RABBANI and KITZMILLER (1972, 1974, 1975) in
Anopheles albimanus; KRAFSUR(1972), AKIYAMA (1973) and CURTIS et al.
U.S. Copyright Clearance Center Code Statement: 0044-2240/80/8905-0498 $ 02.50/0
Z. ang. Ent. 89 (1980), 498-504
0 1980 Verlag Paul Parey, Hamburg und Berlin
ISSN 0044-2240 / ASTM-Coden: ZANEAE