Effect of temperature extremes on the survival and biology of the carpet beetle, Attagenus fasciatus (Thunberg) (Coleoptera: Dermestidae)

Abstract

Pupae of Attagenus fasciatus were exposed to two low temperatures; − 5 and 0 °C, and two high ones; 45 and 50 °C. Pupal mortality increased with increasing exposure period. The LT₅₀ was different according to temperature, pupal age and sex. At − 5 °C LT_50s were 2.21, 1.83 and 2.17 h for females and 2.08, 1.20 and 1.75 h for males at 0–2, 3–5 and 5–7 days old, respectively. At 0 °C the values were 73.3, 36.7 and 58.3 for females and 58.3, 35.0 and 56.7 for males. At 45 °C the values were 9.0, 6.5 and 6.8 h for females and 9.7, 5.5 and 7.3 h for males. At 50 °C, much shorter periods were recorded, 19.5, 17.0 and 19.0 min for females and 17.0, 15.0 and 18.0 min for males. Fecundity was affected by pupal treatment, and egg viability was significantly reduced in most treatments. Exposure of male pupae to high temperature resulted in infertility of the emerging adult. The exposure of either sex pupae to all temperatures increased the preoviposition period but decreased the oviposition period. Longevity of female adults which had emerged from treated pupae at all temperatures decreased, particularly when mated with normal males, while the treatment of male pupae had little effect on their longevity.