Abstract: 【Aim】 Spodoptera litura (Fabricius) is a lepidopteran cutworm defoliator and displays different growth and development characteristics under different conditions of hosts and foods. The objective of this study is to determine the effects of temperature on the population growth and reproduction of S. litura. 【Methods】 S. litura was bred and observed under the conditions of three different temperatures (20±1℃, 27±1℃ and 30±1℃), 65%±10% RH and a 14L:10D photoperiod in artificial climate chamber in the laboratory, and age-stage two-sex life tables of S. litura at the three temperatures were constructed. 【Results】 The developmental duration, adult preoviposition period (APOP) and total preoviposition period (TPOP) of S. litura were shortened as the temperature rose in a time-dependent manner. In addition, the average number of eggs laid per female was the highest at 20±1℃ (1 810.36 eggs/female), and lower at 27±1℃ (1 623.51 eggs/female) and the lowest at 30±1℃ (1 084.60 eggs/female). The intrinsic rate of increase (r), finite rate of increase (λ) and net reproductive rate (R₀) of S. litura were significantly different at different temperatures. The r value and λ value at 20±1℃ was significantly lower than those at 27±1℃and 30±1℃, but the R₀ value at 27±1℃ was prominently higher than those at 20±1℃ and 30±1℃. The mean generation time (T) at 20±1℃,27±1℃ and 30±1℃ was 52.51, 30.63 and 26.87 d, respectively, which decreased sequentially and were significantly different between each other (P<0.05). 【Conclusion】 S. litura displays strong reproductive capacity at temperatures of 27±1℃ and 30℃±1℃. The result could provide the theoretical assistance to control S. litura with integrated pest management (IPM) strategy in fields.

Key words: Spodoptera litura, age-stage two-sex life table, temperature, growth and development, reproduction