Effect of Different Host Plants on Growth, Development and Reproduction of Yellow Tortrix Moth Acleris fimbriana (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae)

The yellow tortrix, Acleris fimbriana Merick (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), is a serious pest on fruit trees in North China. Under laboratory conditions (temperature 25 +/- 1 degrees C, 80 +/- 5% relative humidity, photoperiod 14L:10D), the effect of the 4 host plants Armeniaca vulgaris (apricot), Malus pumila (apple), Prunus salicina (plum), and Amygdalus persica (peach) on the growth, development, survival, reproduction, and life table parameters of A. fimbriana were studied. Different host plants had significant effects on the growth, development, and reproduction of A. fimbriana. The overall developmental duration was the longest on apple (60.71 d) and peach (60.78 d) and shortest on apricot (54.55 +/- 3.56 d). The cumulative survival rate was highest on apricot (64.58%) and plum (60.44%) and lowest on peach (44.50%). The average number of eggs produced was highest on apricot (175.58 eggs) and plum (178.43 eggs). Life table parameter results showed that the net reproductive rate, intrinsic growth rate, and finite growth rate were highest on apricot (101.75, 0.0892, and 1.0933, respectively) and plum (97.75, 0.0832, and 1.0867, respectively). Mean generation time was the longest on apple (58.41 d) and peach (58.45 d). Population doubling time was shortest on apricot (7.77 d) and plum (8.33 d). Of the 4 hosts, apricot and peach are more suitable for A. fimbriana growth, development, and reproduction. The results of this study provide an important basis for forecasting and integrated management of A. fimbriana.