Effect of larval density on the reproduction of the potato tuber moth, Phthorimaea operculella (Zeller)
[Objectives] To investigate the effect of larval density on the reproduction of Phthorimaea operculella (Zeller), [Methods] Larvae were reared at high density (45 larvae/130 g potato) or normal larval density (15 larvae / 130 g potato) and then paired at sex ratios of 1:5 and 1:1. Reproductive parameters of the resultant offspring, including egg number, proportion of abnormal eggs, egg hatch rate, pupation rate, emergence rate, and sex ratio, were measured. [Results] The pupation rate, emergence rate, survival rate, and sex ratio of the offspring of the high density group were significantly lower than those of the offspring of the normal density group, but their larval and pupal periods were also significantly shorter. When females and males were paired at a ratio of 1:5, the hatching rate of eggs decreased significantly if the males were from the high density group; whereas if females were from the high density group, the proportion of abnormal eggs was significantly higher. However, if females were from the normal density group, the proportion of abnormal eggs was significantly lower at a sex ratio of 1:1 (5 females to 5 males), and the egg number, hatch rate, larval duration and pupation rate were significantly higher. The viability of eggs laid by females of the high density group was affected by male origin. When males were from the high density group, the proportion of abnormal eggs decreased, and the hatch rate increased. [Conclusion] Rearing larvae at high density reduced the subsequent fertility rate of both female and male adults. However, mating with male from the high density group improved the reproductive capacity of females from that group, which could affect both the sex ratio and population dynamics.
potato tuber mothlarval densitynumber of eggs laidreproduction
NETL
NSTL
万方数据
维普
