Determining the Effect of Temperature on the Growth and Reproduction of Lasioderma serricorne Using Two-Sex Life Table Analysis

SIMPLE SUMMARY: The developmental time of L. serricorne significantly decreases as the temperature increases from 21 °C to 33 °C. Adult L. serricorne have a relatively longer oviposition period and the highest fecundity at a temperature of 33 °C. Lasioderma serricorne has the highest age-stage-specific survival rate (S(xj)) at a temperature of 27 °C, but a higher fecundity (m(x) and l(x)m(x)) is observed at temperatures of 30 °C and 33 °C. A comprehensive analysis shows that among the experimental temperatures, a temperature between 30 °C and 33°C is the most appropriate for the population development of the pest. Our research results provide theoretical information for the control of pests and mass rearing of L. serricorne. ABSTRACT: The cigarette beetle Lasioderma serricorne (Fabricius) is a major pest of stored products worldwide, especially tobacco and foods, causing huge economic losses. This study aimed to experimentally investigate the population dynamics of this pest at different temperatures and provide theoretical input for its control. Populations of L. serricorne were established under laboratory conditions at five temperatures (21 °C, 24 °C, 27 °C, 30 °C, and 33 °C). Results showed that an increasing temperature significantly affected the developmental time, longevity, oviposition period, and fecundity of L. serricorne. Both the longevity and fecundity of adult beetles were significantly reduced as the temperature increased. High temperatures significantly reduced the total duration of the preoviposition period but prolonged the oviposition period of L. serricorne. Increasing the temperatures from 21 °C to 33 °C significantly influenced the life table parameters of L. serricorne. The intrinsic increase rate (r), finite increase rate (λ), and gross reproductive rate (GRR) all increased with a greater rearing temperature, but mean generation time (T) was significantly shortened. To our best knowledge, this is the first report to detail the entire life history of the cigarette beetle in response to different temperatures when reared on tobacco dry leaves. This finding may provide basic information on the occurrence of L. serricorne in a warehouse setting and its mass rearing.