Effects of age and length of exposure on the reproduction of adult codling moth (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) exposed to surfaces treated with ecdysone agonists

The effects of age and length of exposure on the fecundity and fertility of codling moth, Cydia pomonella (L.), exposed as adults to surfaces treated with the ecdysone agonists tebufenozide and methoxyfenozide were examined. In addition, the development and reproduction of offspring (F-1 generation) whose parents were exposed to the ecdysone agonists were investigated. The length of exposure, but not moth age, significantly affected mean moth fecundity and fertility. A 6 h exposure period to treated surfaces did not negatively affect mean fecundity and fertility. However, exposure periods of 18 h and 30 h significantly reduced mean fecundity and fertility. Despite the significant negative impacts on the reproduction of the adults (parent generation) exposed to the treated surfaces, the mean development time and fecundity of the adult offspring (F-1 generation) were not affected; however, the mean fertility of the adult offspring in the methoxyfenozide treatment was significantly reduced.