No-substrate and low-moisture conditions during pupating adversely affect Ectropis grisescens (Lepidoptera: Geometridae) adults

Abstract Ectropis grisescens Warren (Lepidoptera: Geometridae) is an important defoliator pest of the tea plant, Camellia sinensis L. Our previous studies showed that E. grisescens pupae had significantly lower body water content when they pupated in the dry soil (20%-moisture) than those that pupated in the wetter soil (50%- or 80%-moisture). However, it is still unclear whether low-moisture conditions during pupating would further influence the physiological and fitness traits of adults. In the present study, E. grisescens individuals were allowed to pupate in 20%-, 50%- or 80%-moisture soil (silt loam), or in containers without soil (no-substrate conditions) in the laboratory. No significant difference in emergence was detected among different pupating conditions. However, female moths that emerged from 20%-moisture soil had significantly lower body water content compared to 80%-moisture soil, whereas the body water content of males was similar among the four treatments. The paired moths that emerged from 20%-moisture soil laid significantly fewer eggs than those that emerged from 50%-moisture soil. In addition, the number of hatched offerings (larvae) were significantly less when the adults previously pupated in no-soil containers compared to 50%-moisture soil. The longevity of adults was shortest when they emerged from 20%-moisture soil. Our study showed that the no-substrate and low-moisture conditions during pupating adversely affected E. grisescens adults.