The effect of temperature on the development of the Plutella xylostella (Linnaeus) (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae), was evaluated at eight constant temperatures (10, 15, 20, 25, 28, 30, 32.5 and 35°C), with relative humidity of 65% and a photoperiod of 14:10 (L:D) hours on two host plants, cauliflower, Brassica oleracea var. botrytis and cabbage, Brassica oleracea var. capitata. The low temperature threshold was estimated to be 7.06°C and 7.84°C and the thermal constant was 263.74 and 261.58 degree‐days for P. xylostella on cauliflower and cabbage, respectively, using the linear model. Data were fitted to various nonlinear temperature‐dependent models, and the low and high temperature thresholds, as well as the optimum temperature for development, has been estimated. Criteria of choice from the literature were used to evaluate models and to select the most suitable equation for P. xylostella development on each host plant. Conclusively, linear and Briere‐2 models are recommended for the description of temperature‐dependent development of P. xylostella on two host plants.

Use of insecticides can have disruptive effects on the environment. Replacing the chemical compounds in these insecticides with plant materials, however, can be a safe method with low environmental risk. In the current study, chemical composition and insecticidal activities of the essential oil from cardamom, Elettaria cardamomum L. (Maton) (Zingiberales: Zingiberaceae) on the adults of three stored product pests was investigated. Results indicated that essential oil of E. cardamomum toxic to the bruchid beetle, Callosobruchus maculatus Fabricius (Coleoptera: Bruchidae), the red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum Herbst (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae), and the flour moth, Ephestia kuehniella Zeller (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae). Adults of E. kuehniella were more sensitive than the Coleoptera. Also, the highest mortality of these insects was seen after 12 hours. Results of the LT50 tests showed that the lethal time of mortality occurred between 10–20 hours in various test concentrations. Essential oil of E. cardamomum had a good efficacy on oviposition deterrence of C. maculatus females, too. The chemical constituents of the essential oils were analyzed by gas chromatography—mass spectrometry. The major constituents of cardamom were identified as 1,8-cineol, α-terpinyl acetate, terpinene and fenchyl alcohol. These results suggest that essential oil of E. cardamomum is a good choice for control of stored product pests.

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The effects of sublethal concentrations of indoxacarb on Plutella xylostella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Yponomeutidae) were examined. In comparison with the control, sublethal concentrations led to a significant decrease in adult emergence, the percentage of pupation and pupal weight of the parent generation, fecundity, and adult longevity. They also significantly decreased the net reproductive rate (R 0 ), intrinsic rate of increase (r m ), finite rate of increase (k), and gross reproduction rate (GRR), and had significantly increased egg developmental time and doubling time (Dt) of P. xylostella. However, sublethal concentrations of indoxacarb had no significant affect on adult emergence, percentage of pupation, larva, prepupa and pupa developmental periods, hatchability, and sex ratio of offspring. The results of this study indicated that sublethal concentrations can decrease the biological parameters of P. xylostella.

Effects of hexaflumuron at 10% lethal concentration (LC10) and LC25 on development and reproduction parameters of the diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (Linnaeus, 1753) (Lep.: Yponomeutidae) were investigated. Estimated LC50, LC10 and LC25 values of leaf dip bioassay of hexaflumuron on the third instar larvae of the P. xylostella were 1.48, 0.59 and 0.91 mg/L, respectively. Hexaflumuron decreased pupal weight in the parent generation at sublethal concentrations but in the offspring generation, this effect was not observed. Sublethal concentrations increased egg, first and second larval instar and pupa developmental time and shortened life span of adults, but did not change the third and fourth larval instars and pre‐pupa developmental period. Also fecundity of females reduced significantly but hatchability of treatments and control were similar. Survival rate of pre‐adult stages declined significantly at LC25 concentration. Reproduction parameters such as reproductive rate (R0) and intrinsic rate of increase in sublethal concentrations were significantly lower compared with control, but gross reproduction rate (GRR) at the LC10 concentration was increased and it could be hormoligosis. Also hexaflumuron significantly increased doubling time (Dt). We conclude that the sublethal effects of hexaflumuron might exhibit significant effects on the population dynamics of P. xylostella.