Performance and reproductive traits of the sugarcane borer Chilo infuscatellus at different temperatures

Temperature is a key factor regulating the survival, reproduction and population growth of insects. We studied performance traits of Chilo infuscatellus Snellen (Lepidoptera: Crambidae), a serious sugarcane borer in Asia, at constant rearing temperatures (19, 23, 27, 31, and 35℃). Our results revealed that the developmental time of immature stages and adult lifespans decreased and fecundity increased at higher temperatures. Extreme temperature treatments (19 and 35 °C) reduced the survival rate of C. infuscatellus. The survival rate and fecundity of C. infuscatellus were high at 27 °C, suggesting it being a favourable temperature, at which we further explored their reproductive traits. We found that eclosion, mating, and oviposition all occurred during the scotophase, and the duration of the mating behaviour of most pairs lasted for 20–50 min. The results will provide important information of this sugarcane borer in relation to seasonal and global climate changes.