Effect of temperature on the development of immature stages of Zeugodacus cucurbitae (Diptera: Tephritidae), Coquillett, 1899, A major watermelon pest in Senegal
Paper Details
Effect of temperature on the development of immature stages of Zeugodacus cucurbitae (Diptera: Tephritidae), Coquillett, 1899, A major watermelon pest in Senegal
Abstract
Global warming strongly influences the development of Zeugodacus cucurbitae, a major pest of cucurbit crops; however, the effects of certain intermediate and high temperatures, as well as natural conditions particularly on watermelon remain insufficiently documented. The present study assessed the effect of a thermal gradient, including ambient temperature and constant temperatures of 25, 27, 30, and 33°C, on the development of the immature stages (egg-larva-pupa) of Z. cucurbitae. The results indicate that preimaginal development time exhibits a non-linear thermal response. The duration of the pupal stage decreases with increasing temperature, whereas pupal survival and total developmental time follow a unimodal pattern, characterized by accelerated development up to a thermal optimum (27°C), beyond which biological performance declines and variability increases. These findings confirm the existence of an optimal thermal window (25-27°C) for the development of Z. cucurbitae and reveal stage-specific thermal plasticity. This sensitivity to temperature fluctuations has important implication for phenological modeling, population dynamics forecasting, and the adaptation of integrated pest management strategies under climate change scenarios.
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Madeleine Ivonne Mendy*, Toffène Diome, Mamecor Faye, Mbacké Sembène, 2026. Effect of temperature on the development of immature stages of Zeugodacus cucurbitae (Diptera: Tephritidae), Coquillett, 1899, A major watermelon pest in Senegal. Int. J. Biosci., 28(4), 33-40.
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