Comparison of biological characteristics and two-sex life table parameters of grain moth, Sitotroga cerealella Olivier (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae), on the 12 corn hybrids

Grain moth, Sitotroga cerealella Olivier, is a cosmopolitan pest of stored products that it causes significant damages to the cereal grains. In the present study, the effect of 12 different maize hybrids including AR89, AS71, BC678, DC370, KSC260, KSC703, KSC704, KSC705, KSC400, PL72, SC71 and Simon on the biological characteristics and life table parameters of S. cerealella was assessed under laboratory conditions (25±1°C, 65±5% RH, and photoperiod of 12L: 12D h). The longest developmental time was evaluated on the hybrids PL72 (34.91 ± 0.24 days) and SC71 (34.39 ± 0.25 days) and its shortest value was achieved on the hybrids DC730 (27.08 ± 0.24 days), KSC704 (27.53 ± 0.45 days) and KSC260 (27.76 ± 0.28 days). The lowest and highest net reproductive rate (R0) of pest were observed on the hybrids PL72 (10.40 ± 0.09 female/female/generation) and DC 730 (28.06 ± 0.17 female/female/generation), respectively. The lowest intrinsic rate of increase (rm) was calculated on the PL72 (0.060 ± 0.00023 day-1) and its highest amount was measured on DC370 (0.109 ± 0.00022 day-1). According to the results, among considered hybrids, PL72 was identified as the lowest suitable host for feeding of S. cerealella and it can be used in the integrated management of this pest.