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Organisms are often exposed to various stresses such as heat. The diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae) is a serious pest of cruciferous crops in Iran and the world. The effect of short-term temperature stress on egg stage of P. xylostella and its demographic parameters were studied under laboratory conditions. Diamondback moth eggs were exposed to 30, 35 and 40 °C for durations of 2, 4, 6, 8 h and then returned to normal temperature condition (25 °C). The results showed that P. xylostella eggs successfully developed to adulthood at short-term (2, 4, 6 and 8 h) high temperatures stress. The ovipositional period was significantly longer at 30 °C for 8 h, 35 °C for 2 h and 40 °C for 4 h than for other periods of stress. There is a significant difference in the net reproduction rate (R₀) among the short-term high temperature stresses treatments. The highest and lowest R₀ was obtained at 30 °C for 8 and 4 h, respectively. The intrinsic rate of increase (r_m) was also found to be significantly affected by stress temperatures. The r_m-value ranged from 0.15 ± 0.009 (30 °C for 4 h) to 0.22 ± 0.004 (35 °C for 8 h). Knowledge of the effect of temperature on demographic parameters of P. xylostella could be useful in the integrated pest management for forecasting the population dynamics of this economic pest of brassicas, thereby reducing insecticide inputs, negative environmental impacts and saving hundreds of millions of dollars annually.

Keywords: Diamondback moth, Demography, crucifers, population fluctuation, Short-Term High Temperature.

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