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A Novel method for estimating the pre-reproductive period of female african armyworm moths, Spodoptera Exempta

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 September 2011

Kenneth Wilson
Kenneth Wilson
Affiliation:
School of Biological Sciences, University of Wales – Bangor, Gwynedd, LL57 2UW, UK
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Abstract

In the majority of insects, migration occurs exclusively or predominantly during the pre-reproductive period (PRP) and therefore, the duration of the PRP provides a useful index of migratory potential. The present study describes a novel method for estimating the PRP of Spodoptera exempta (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). It relies on the fact that as the female approaches sexual maturity, there is a substantial change in the shape of her gonopore-patch (an area of black scales at the posterior of the abdomen). Gonopore-patch shape (GPS) is strongly correlated with PRP (as determined by “calling” behaviour) and may prove to be the best method for estimating migratory potential in some circumstances. A number of other species of moths also have gonopore-patches which may aid the study of their migration.

Résumé

Chez la plupart des insectes, la migration se produit exclusivement ou abondament pendant la période précédant la reproduction. Par conséquent, la durée de cette période peut journir un indice utile du potential migrateur de ces insectes. L'étude dont il est question dans cet article décrit une méthode nouvelle pour l'estimation du PRP de la femelle de Spodoptera exempta (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). La methode vient du fait que, chez la femelle, juste avant la maturité sexuelle, il y a un changement substantial de la forme de son rustine (I'aggloromeration d'écailles noires à la partie postérieure de I'abdomen). II existe une grande corrélation entre la forme du rustine (“GPS”) et la PRP (comme indiqué par le comportement et le cri d'appel de la femelle). Dans certaines circonstances, le GPS peut être la meilleure méthode pour estimer le potentiel migrateur. Chez d'autres espéces de papillons de nuit, il existe également des GPS qui pourraient servir, éventuellement, dans l'étude de leur migration.

Keywords

African armywormgonopore-patch sizepre-reproductive periodcalling behaviourmoth migration
Type
Research Artilces
Information
International Journal of Tropical Insect Science , Volume 14 , Issue 3 , June 1993 , pp. 325 - 331
Copyright
Copyright © ICIPE 1993

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References

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