Abstract: 【Aim】This study aims to understand the influence of alternating temperature on the growth and development of experimental populations of Athetis lepigone. 【Methods】We measured and calculated the developmental threshold temperature, effective accumulated temperature and life table parameters to study the influence of different combinations of alternating temperatures (20/24℃, 20/28℃, 20/32℃, 24/28℃, 24/32℃ and 28/32℃) on the mean developmental duration, survival rate and fecundity of A. lepigone.【Results】The results showed that the duration of different developmental stages of A. lepigone shortened as the average temperature in each alternating temperature combination increased. The generation survival rate of A. lepigone decreased in the order of 24/28℃>20/32℃>28/32℃>20/28℃>24/32℃>20/24℃. The fecundity was the highest at 24/28℃, with 390.17 eggs laid per female. The developmental threshold temperature and effective accumulated temperature of the whole generation was 10.37℃ and 663.17 degree-days, respectively. The intrinsic rate of natural increase （r_m） initially increased and then decreased as the average temperature of each alternating temperature combination increased. At 24/28℃, the intrinsic rate of natural increase (r_m), net reproductive rate (R₀), the finite rate of increase (λ) were the highest, while the doubling time (t) and generation time (T) were the minimum.【Conclusion】The results suggest that the temperature combination 24/28℃ is the optimal combination of alternating temperatures for the development of experimental populations of A. lepigone. These results provide a scientific basis for the prediction and integrated manangement of A. lepigone.

Key words: Athetis lepigone, alternating temperature, growth and development, developmental threshold temperature, effective accumulated temperature