Biological characteristics of Cadra cautella (Lep.: Pyralidae) on some dried fruits at controlled conditions

Dried fruit moth (Cadra cautella) (Walker) is one of the most important pests of dried fruits and was reported on dried date, dried fig and raisin from Iran. The biology of this pest has not been studied on dried fruits products of Iran, regardless of economic value of this pest. In this research some biological characteristics including development time, fecundity and survivorship of C. cautella on dried fig, dried berry, dried date and raisin were investigated. All experiments carried out at constant temperature room (29±1 °C, 60 ± 5% RH and Photoperiod 16L: 8D). Based on the results, the highest (251.38±16.51) and lowest (177.83±15.25) fecundity occurred on the dried fig and raisin respectively. Shortest and longest development time from egg to adults for female was occurred on dried fig and raisin respectively. Also, the highest (91.52±3.16%) and lowest (83.23±2.83%) survivorship of immature development stages of C. cautella were observed on dried date (Zahedi variety) and raisin respectively. Thus dried fig and dried date (Zahedi variety) are preferred by C. cautella.