Braby, MichaelLyonns, Kelly2015-12-132015-12-131326-6756http://hdl.handle.net/1885/94259The effect of temperature on rate of development and survival of the immature stages of a subtropical population of the black jezebel, Delias nigrina, was studied under laboratory conditions at a range of constant temperatures. Mean developmental times from first-instar larva to adult varied from 29 days at 27°C to 52 days at 19°C; the development threshold temperature and thermal constant were estimated to be 9°C and 494 degree-days, respectively. Larval developmental rates reached physiological maximum at the higher temperatures tested (25-27°C). Pupal development, by contrast, was not affected in the same way as larvae by higher temperature. Survival of the immature stages varied inversely with temperature: survival was highest at 19°C and significantly reduced at 27°C. Mortality at the higher temperature was attributable mainly to final-instar larvae and pupae. These findings indicate that, compared with other tropical pierids that have been studied, D. nigrina has: (i) a comparatively low temperature threshold; (ii) a slow rate of development; and (iii) a poor tolerance to moderately high temperatures. Physiologically, these features are more characteristic of a temperate butterfly than a tropical one. This physiological response appears to be reflected by the temperate nature of the genus as a whole, which may be related to its period of origin and evolution during past climatic events.Keywords: Delias; Delias nigrina; Lepidoptera; Pieridae Australia; Development; New Guinea; Thermal constant; Threshold temperature; Tropical ecology200310.1046/j.1440-6055.2003.00342.x2015-12-12