Wide diurnal temperature variation inhibits larval development and adult reproduction in the diamondback moth

Abstract

Although thermal variability is known to influence the performance of ectotherms, there is limited information on the influence of variation in diurnal temperature range (DTR) during early developmental stages. Here we test variation in DTR ( ±0 °C, ±4 °C, ±6 °C, ±8 °C, ±10 °C and±12 °C) with a constant mean temperature (25 °C) on the larval stage of diamondback moth (DBM), Plutella xylostella (L.), and assess immediate effects on larval development and survival, and delayed effects on pupal development and survival and adult longevity and reproductive performance. Wide amplitudes ( ±10 °C and±12 °C) inhibited larval development and adult performance, but increased the proportion of eggs lai..