Quantitative Analysis of Temperature, Moisture, and Diet Factors Affecting Insect Development

Extensive published data on the developmental times of nine species of stored-product Coleoptera in relation to temperature, moisture, and diet were described by regression equations. At most temperatures, the order of relative influence of these factors on development was temperature > moisture > diet. However, moisture and diet influenced larval development more than temperature near the optimal temperature for development of each species. Egg, larval, and pupal stage durations at 27°C averaged 15, 66, and 19% of the total developmental time, respectively, at moistures above 12%, and 12, 72, and 15% of total developmental time at moistures below 12%. Similar percentages were found at other temperatures between 20 and 35°C.