Oviposition by female cigarette beetle, Lasioderma serricorne (F.) and egg hatch were studied in temperature-humidity cabinets within a temperature range of 7.2°C-26.7°C. Egg production increased with each rise in temperature. The percentage of females ovipositing was 2.2% at 7.2°C and 97.8% at 26.7°C with the percentage increasing significantly after 12.8°C. Percent of egg hatch at 15.6°C for eggs laid by females reared on whole wheat flour and tobacco medium was 1.0% and 1.1% respectively; percent of egg hatch at 18.3°C was 57.6% and 59.1%, respectively. The incubation period ranged from 23-30 days at 15.6°C and from 17-25 days at 18.3°C. These findings show that oviposition and egg hatch occur at temperatures lower than previously thought.

(Full article published with kind permission from "Tobacco International")