The Effect of Repeated Low Temperature on Eggs of the Alfalfa Weevil (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)

Three ages of alfalfa weevil, Hypera postica (Gyllenhal) eggs were exposed to repeated exposures of -15 and -20°C. Fresh-laid eggs were quite susceptible and 3- and 5day old eggs were relatively resistant to -15'C, but all ages of eggs showed considerable susceptibility to -20°C, with an average LT50 of 2.2 days. Comparison of this data with similar studies utilizing constant low temperature exposures showed the effect to be independent of temporal interruptions.