INFLUENCE OF TEMPERATURE AND HUMIDITY LEVELS ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF KHAPRA BEETLE, TROGODERMA GRANARIUM EVERTS
Department of Agricultural Zoology and Entomology, S.K.N. College of Agriculture, RAU, Bikaner Campus – Jobner – 303 329
M.C. BHARGAVA, R.K. CHOUDHARY, S.R. YADAV AND AKHTER HUSSAIN
The growth and development of khapra beetle, Trogoderma granarium Everts was studied under stored conditions at different temperature (25°, 30°, 35° and 40°C) and humidity (60, 70, 80 and 90% R.H.) levels. The incubation period, larval and pupal period, pre-ovipositional and ovipositional period and longevity of adults (male and female) decreased with the increase in temperature, being shortest at 40°C. However, these parameters of growth and development increase with the decrease in humidity. The adult emergence, fecundity, egg viability and growth index was maximum at 35°C under 60 per cent relative humidity.