Larvae of the stored product pest, khapra beetle, Trogoderma granarium, are unusual in that they can enter a diapause state that confers protection against pest control methods. In Chapter 1, I reviewed the literature on general aspects of insect diapause induction and termination, particularly in Dermestidae. In Chapter 2, I assessed the effects of age of culture and diet quality on diapause termination. The results indicated that diapausing larvae can accumulate the nutrients required to terminate diapause and complete development when provided with an opportunity to do so. In Chapter 3, I assessed whether desiccation enhances cold tolerance in diapausing and non-diapausing larvae. Results showed that cold tolerance of diapausing larvae increased with greater desiccation stress. This finding suggests that the physiological mechanisms that protect diapausing larvae from desiccation may also increase cold-tolerance. Overall results of this research provide new information with potential application for control of this global pest
