Temperature‐dependent development of diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae) on two brassicaceous host plants

Abstract 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.