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Oviposition behaviour of Heliothis armigera (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in relation to the day-night cycle

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 September 2011

Ashok K. Singh
Affiliation:
Max-Planck-Institute for Biochemistry, D-8033 Martinsried near Munich, Federal Republic of Germany
Heinz Rembold
Affiliation:
Max-Planck-Institute for Biochemistry, D-8033 Martinsried near Munich, Federal Republic of Germany
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Abstract

Oviposition behaviour of the cotton bollworm, Heliothis armigera, and its relation to day-night cycle was examined under laboratory conditions. Eggs were laid both in large quantities of clumped eggs at one place, and singly distributed in the oviposition cage, always glued on the substrate. The maximum individual life time fecundity recorded was 3080, and the highest number of eggs delivered in 1 day was 949. The mean pre-oviposition period was 2.9 days. Peak fecundity occurred between days 5–9 and the highest mating frequency from days 4–6 after emergence. Maximum age for egg laying was 29 days, average life expectancy was 22 days, with longest individual survival of 32 days. Male longevity did not vary from that of females. There was a significant difference in the longevity of mated and virgin females; the mated females lived for a shorter time but produced a significantly higher number of eggs. Also, mating induced a sudden surge in oviposition. Almost 90% of the total eggs were laid in the darkness. Out of them, 60% were from the first and 30% from the second half of the dark period.

Résumé

Ce travail a pour objet d'étudier, dans les élevages au laboratoire, le comportement d'oviposition de la chenille des épis du mais (Heliothis armigera) en général ainsi que la relation de ce comportement avec le rythme de lumière et obscurité. On a observé que les femelles pondent soit en forme d'une seule couvée comprenant un grand nombre d'oeufs entassés, soit en forme d'oeufs isolés, dispersés dans la cage d'oviposition et bien collés sur le substrat. Nous rapportons un maximum de fécondité individuelle s'élevant à 3080 oeufs la vie durant, tandis qu'un maximum de 949 oeufs fut obtenu d'une femelle dans une seule journée. En moyenne, la période précédant l'oviposition s'élève à 2.9 jours. Compté après l'éclosion, le maximum de la fécondité se présente entre jours 5 et jour 9, et le plus grand nombre d'accouplements s'effectue entre jour 4 et jour 6. En ce qui concerne la capacité de pondre, on a trouvé une limite d'âge de 29 jours; l'expectance de vie des animaux s'élève en moyenne à 22 jours, et un total de 32 jours représente la plus longue survie individuelle qu'on vient d'obsever. La longévité des mâles ne diffère point de celle des femelles, tandis qu'une différence significative exsite entre les femelles inséminées et les femelles vierges. L'insémination des femelles entraîne et une survie moins longue et la ponte d'un plus grand nombre d'oeufs. En outre, il parait que l'insémination provoque la ponte, dont l'activité augmente immédiatement après l'accouplement. Une relation bien définie entre l'oviposition et le rythme jounuit a été démontré. 90% de tous les oeufs ont été pondus au cours de la nuit: 60% de ce nombre pendant la première et 30% pendant la deuxième moitié de la période obscure.

Type
Research Articles
Copyright
Copyright © ICIPE 1989

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