Factors affecting pupal survival and eclosion in the pine beauty moth, Panolis flammea (D&S)

The proportion of adult Panolis flammea emerging from the overwintering pupae was markedly affected by pupation substrate, waterlogging, temperature and relative humidty. Pupae which had spent the winter in needle litter had a significantly greater survival rate than those in either soil or peat.The greater the length of time spent waterlogged the greater the mortality rate of P. flammea pupae. At temperatures of-20° C, there was 100% pupal mortality within 24 h of exposure.Pupal weight loss was proportional to the length of time spent as a pupa. Female pupae lost proportionately more weight than male pupae. Pupae of both sexes lost more weight at a low relative humidity than at a high relative humidity. At low relative humidities female pupal mortality was higher than that of male pupae.