Temperature-dependent development and oviposition models of Ramulus irregulariterdentatus (Phasmida: Phasmatidae)

Public interest in Ramulus irregulariterdentatus as a pet insect in Korea is increasing, although it is also considered as a potential forest insect pest. The objective of this study was to construct development and oviposition models of R. irregulariterdentatus. Development rates were fitted with a nonlinear Briere model which estimated optimal temperatures to be 24.5 and 26.2 degrees C with upper development thresholds of 29.3 and 31.4 degrees C for egg and nymph, respectively. In a linear model, lower development thresholds were 7.6 and 5.2 degrees C for egg and nymph, respectively. Survivorship was the highest at 21.0 and 22.2 degrees C for egg and nymph, respectively. Mean fecundity ranged from 14.4 eggs at 17.5 degrees C to 32.0 eggs at 23.5 degrees C. It was fitted to an extreme value function. Adult survival and cumulative oviposition rate of R. irregulariterdentatus were fitted to a sigmoid function and a two-parameter Weibull function, respectively. These models can be used to forecast phonology and population dynamics of R. irregulariterdentatus in the fields and optimize environmental conditions for rearing R. irregulariterdentatus.