Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-lnqnp Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-25T05:17:54.848Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

AN ANALYSIS OF DAILY FORAGING PATTERNS OF LABORATORY COLONIES OF THE EASTERN TENT CATERPILLAR, MALACOSOMA AMERICANUM (LEPIDOPTERA: LASIOCAMPIDAE), RECORDED PHOTOELECTRONICALLY

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  31 May 2012

T. D. Fitzgerald
Affiliation:
Department of Biological Sciences, State University of New York, Cortland 13045

Abstract

Daily periods of activity of eight colonies of the eastern tent caterpillar, Malacosoma americanum (F.), were monitored photoelectronically under a simulated springtime photoperiod in the laboratory. Colonies averaged 3.7 ± 0.1 (S.E.) activity periods per day (N = 103 colony-days), separated by an average interval of 6.6 ± 0.1 h (N = 389). Foraging trips lasted an average 2.8 ± 0.1 h (N = 397). A plot of 336 activity period midpoints (seven colonies) showed all colony activity peaks to occur between 0600 and 0800 h, 1100 and 1600 h, 1900 and 2100 h, and 0100 and 0400 h. The first three peaks correspond well to previously reported field observations but the early morning foraging trip, which occurred in darkness, was previously unreported by field investigators. The temporal placement of activity peaks shifted from day to day within colonies but the occurrence of evening foraging trips was the most consistent. Dark onset appeared to trigger foraging in resting colonies. Recruitment of hungry caterpillars to food finds appears to be a common component of the foraging strategy of this species.

Résumé

Les périodes journalières d’activité de 8 colonies de la livrée d’Amérique, Malacosoma americanum (F.), ont été observées photoélectroniquement sous une photopériode printannière simulée en laboratoire. Les colonies ont manifesté une moyenne de 3.7 ± 0.1 (ESM) périodes d’activité par jour (N = 103 colonies-jours), séparées par un intervalle moyen de 6.6 ± 0.1 h (N = 389). La durée moyenne des sorties de broutage a été de 2.8 ± 0.1 h (N = 397). Un graphique de 336 points médians de périodes d’activité (7 colonies) a révélé que les pics d’activité de l’ensemble des colonies se situent entre 0600–0800 h, 1100–1600 h, 1900–2100 h, et 0100 et 0400 h. Les 3 premiers pics corroborent des observations de terrain déjà rapportées mais la sortie tôt le matin, observée en période d’obscurité, n’avait pas été rapportée par les observateurs de terrain. La position dans le temps des pics d’activité a changé pour une même colonie, cependant l’heure des sorties effectuées en soirée est demeurée la plus stable. La transition clarté/noirceur a semblé déclencher le broutage chez des colonies au repos. Le recrutement de chenilles affamées aux sites de broutage découverts semble être un élément commun de la stratégie d’alimentation de cette espèce.

Type
Articles
Copyright
Copyright © Entomological Society of Canada 1980

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Edgerly, J. S. 1980. An investigation of behavioral variation within colonies of the eastern tent caterpillar, Malacosoma americanum (F.) (Lepidoptera: Lasiocampidae). MS. Thesis, S.U.N.Y. Coll. Environ. Sci., Forestry.Google Scholar
Fiske, W. F. 1903. A study of the parasites of the American tent caterpillar. New Hamps. Coll. agric. Exp. Stn Bull. 6: 185230.Google Scholar
Fitzgerald, T. D. 1976. Trail marking by larvae of the eastern tent caterpillar. Science 154: 961963.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Fitzgerald, T. D. and Edgerly, J. S.. 1979. Exploration and recruitment in field colonies of eastern tent caterpillars. J. Ga ent. Soc. 14: 312314.Google Scholar
Greenblatt, J. A. 1974. Behavioral studies of tent caterpillars. MS. Thesis, Univ. Mich., Ann Arbor.Google Scholar
Greenblatt, J. A. and Witter, J. A.. 1976. Behavioral studies on Malacosoma disstria (Lepidoptera: Lasiocampidae). Can. Ent. 108: 12251228.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Hamilton, W. D. 1971. Geometry for the selfish herd. J. theor. Biol. 31: 295311.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Laux, W. 1962. Individuelle unterschiede in vehalten und leisrung des ringelspinners, Malacosoma neustria (L.). Z. angew. Zool. 49: 465524.Google Scholar
Snodgrass, R. E. 1924. The tent caterpillar. Ann. Rep. Smithson. Inst. 2724. pp. 329362.Google Scholar
Wellington, W. G. 1957. Individual differences as a factor in population dynamics: the development of a problem. Can. J. Zool. 35: 293323.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Wellington, W. G. 1974. Tents and tactics of caterpillars. Nat. Hist. 83(1): 6472.Google Scholar
Witter, J. A. and Kulman, H. M.. 1972. A review of the parasites and predators of tent caterpillars (Malacosoma spp.) in North America. Tech. Bull. agric. Exp. Stn Minn. 289.Google Scholar