Thermal Requirements of the Coconut Pest Atheloca subrufella (Hulst) (Lepidoptera: Phycitidae)

Among the important pests of coconut, the coconut moth Atheloca subrufella (Hulst) is a significant pest of flowers and fruits, and is found across all coconut-producing regions in Brazil. We investigated the thermal requirements of A. subrufella and estimated the number of generations for two different growing coconut regions in Pernambuco State. The developmental time of all immature stages reduced as the temperature increased. The egg to adult period ranged from 19.3 to 59.8 days from 32 degrees C to 18 degrees C, respectively. The survival of the period from egg to adult was 25% at extreme temperatures (18 degrees C and 32 degrees C), while at the intermediate temperatures it was over 72%. Based on the thermal requirements determined for A. subrufella and the average temperatures determined for Zona da Mata and Sertao of Pernambuco State, it was estimated that A. subrufella is able to complete up to 13 generations per year in both areas. These results indicate that A. subrufella exhibited development and reproduction limited by temperatures higher than 32 degrees C and lower than 18 degrees C. However, based on the thermal requirements of A. subrufella and the mean temperatures of the Zona da Mate and Sertao of Pernambuco State, this pest can develop throughout the entire year.