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Reproductive behaviour of the tossa jute defoliator, Acraea terpsicore (L.) (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae)

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 September 2011

Yeboa A. Duodu  and
Benard W. L. Lawson
Yeboa A. Duodu
Affiliation:
Crops Research Institute, P.O. Box 3785, Kumasi, Ghana
Benard W. L. Lawson
Affiliation:
Department of Biological Sciences, University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
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Abstract

Some aspects of the reproductive behaviour of the tossa jute defoliator, Acraea terpsicore (L.), were studied. The insect mated only once. A horny material was deposited on the female's genital aperture after mating. Mating began on the day of emergence and lasted for 7 days on 10% sucrose solution. Maximum number of matings was on the third day after emergence. Within the day, over 95% of matings was between 0600 and 1800 hr with a peak between 1200 and 1800 hr. Eggs were also laid mainly between 0600 and 1800 hr during the day with a peak between 1500 and 1800 hr. Oviposition which started on the day of emergence lasted for 7 days on 10% sucrose with a peak on the second day. The presence of the male, after mating had occurred, did not significantly affect the number of eggs laid. Adults emerged between 0600 and 1800 hr but mostly before mid-day. Peak emergence for males occurred earlier than that for females. Behavioural activities in courtship, mating, oviposition, and adult emergence, are described.

Résumé

Des aspects du comportment reproducteur du tossa jute défoliant Acraea terpsicore (L.) ont été étudies. L'insecte accouple à une seule fois. Une matière cornée a été deposée sur le genital femelle orifice après avoir accouplé. L' accouplement a commencé le même jour de l'emergence et l'emergence et a duré sept jour sur 10% de la solution saccharose. Les maximums nombres des accouplements etaient le troisième jour apres l'émergence. Pour la journée il y aura plus de 95% des accouplement entre 0600 et 1800h avec des heures de pointe, entre 1200 et 1800h. Pendant la journée les oeufs out été pondues entre 0600 et 1800h avec les heures de pointe entre 1500 et 1800h. L'oviposition qui a commencé la même jour de l'émergence a duré sept jours sur 10% de saccharose avec les heures de pointe dans le jour suivant La présence du maie après l'accouplement a eu lieu n'a pas eu un effet considerable sur le nombre des oeufs pondues. Pour la plupart les adultes ont émergé entre 0600 et 1800h avant midi. L'heure de pointe d'émergence pour les males a lieu plus tot que celle des femelles. L'émergence de pattern de comportement des activities d'un couple d'amoureux, l'accouplement, l'oviposition et l'adulte ont été décrits.

Keywords

Acraea terpsicorereproductive behaviourcourtshipmatingovipositionadult emergenceCorchorus olitoriustossa jute
Type
Research Articles
Information
International Journal of Tropical Insect Science , Volume 10 , Issue 4 , August 1989 , pp. 557 - 562
Copyright
Copyright © ICIPE 1989

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