The Pink Bollworm (Pectinophora gossypiella): Life cycle and diapause induction in Israel

The development of the pink bollworm from eggs to adults takes 21 days, and there are 5-6 generations during a cotton-growing season. No diapause was evident during most of the season. The first diapausing larvae appear in early September, and from then onwards a gradual increase in the rase of diapause induction takes place, with all larvae in diapause by the end of October or the beginning of November. The rate of diapause induction is correlated with the decrease in day length. Field observations were corroborated by controlled laboratory experiments.