Comparison of the life table and reproduction parameters of the Plodia interpunctella Hubner (Lep., Pyralidae) on three cultivars of date in laboratory conditions

The Indian meal moth, Plodia interpunctella (Hübner) (Lep., Pyralidae) is one of the serious pestsof stored date in Iran and many parts of the world. In this research life table and reproduction parameters of P. interpunctella on three cultivars of date were studied. The experiments were conducted in laboratory conditions at temperature of 27±2 ºC, 45±5% relative humidity and a photoperiod of 16L:8D hours. The results indicated that, the life expectancy in egg period were 44/45, 52/29 and 47/89 days on Zahedi, Shahabi and Kabkab cultivars, respectively. The gross fecundity rate on Zahedi, Shahabi and Kabkab cultivars were estimated 172.1±17.5, 160.2±15.2 and 121.0±18.3 egg per female, respectively. There was no significant difference among gross fecundity rate on different cultivars of date. The net fertility rate on Zahedi cultivar with 96/8±10/4 was more than the other cultivars. The lowest value of this parameter on Kabkab cultivar 43/84±7/26 was estimated that there was significant difference with Zahedi and Shahabi cultivars, but no significant difference was observed between Zahedi and Shahabi cultivars. The mean egg per day and mean fertile eggs per day of moths developed on Zahedi cultivar were estimated 25/09±2/61 and 22/38±2/30, respectively that was shown the maximum value among examined cultivers.