Published online by Cambridge University Press: 31 May 2012
A method was developed to terminate pupal diapause in Rheumaptera hastata through experimentation using controlled abiotic factors. Male and female pupae exposed to 0 °C at 75–100% moisture content for 90–120 days terminated diapause within 8–19 days following treatment. This method reduces diapause by 4 months compared with natural conditions. Light had a minimum effect on diapause termination; therefore, pupae should be exposed to constant darkness during the treatment period, followed by exposure to a 20L:4D photoperiod to obtain a high percentage of adult emergence.