Temperature-dependent life table parameters of Galleria mellonella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)

Abstract

The effect of temperature on demographic parameters of the greater wax moth, Galleria mellonella (L.) was studied at 23, 25, 27, and 30 °C, 50 ± 10% RH and a photoperiod of 16:8 (L: D) h. The life table parameters were estimated according to the age-stage, two-sex life table procedure. In addition, the bootstrap technique was employed for estimating the means, variances, and standard errors of the population parameters at all studied temperatures. All estimated parameters were affected considerably by temperature. Among examined temperatures, the highest values of net reproductive rate (R0), intrinsic rate of increase (rm) and finite rate of increase (λ) were 223.04 egg, 0.096 day-1, and 1.101day-1, respectively at 27 °C. The lowest mean generation time was 50.31 day at 30 °C. Moreover, the highest reproductive value was observed at 27 °C. According to the results, temperature can affect all life table parameters of G. mellonella, and according to our investigation, 27 °C is the best temperature for its mass rearing in laboratory condition among the evaluated temperatures.

Keywords

• galleria mellonella
• life history
• temperature