Temperatures experienced during larval development can exert profound effects on life-history traits expressed later during the adult stage in insects. In this study, we explored how larval rearing temperature (18, 23, and 28℃) would affect adult lifespan and reproductive performance in Drosophila melanogaster Meigen (Diptera: Drosophilidae). Larval developmental period was shortened with increasing rearing temperature. Larvae reared at colder temperatures reached the adult stage at a larger size than those reared at higher temperatures, thus conforming to the temperature-size rule. More importantly, we found strong evidence for significant effects of larval rearing temperature on both adult lifespan and early-life egg production rate. Lifespan increased progressively as the larval rearing temperature decreased from 28 to 18℃. In contrast, egg production rate was lower for flies raised at 18℃ compared to those at 23 and 28℃. These results highlight the importance of thermal environments experienced during the development in shaping life-history plasticity in insects.

• Kyeong Woon Min(Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Seoul National University)
• TaeHwan Jang(Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Seoul National University)
• Kwang Pum Lee(Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Seoul National University)