ABSTRACT

An abnormal increasing in air temperature above the general average during the critical period (January - May) of certain years (2000-2001), increase the emergence of moths and the immature stages mainly as 'pupae". Mass emergence of moths would then be stimulated by the prevalence of warmer weather, normally taking place during April, but happened in March. The sudden emergence of a somewhat large number of adults, particularly at that time when it is still too early in the season, offers vast possibilities for mating and oviposition unlikely to have occurred if normal or warmer "critical periods" had prevailed. In the latter case, individuals emerge gradually or sparsely over a fairly long period. Thus, their mating chances become unlimited, and hence, their subsequent generations would attain abnormal and perhaps higher rates