Reproductive Biology of the Lesser Cornstalk Borer, Elasmopalpus Lignosellus (Zeller) (Lepidoptera PDF Download

Author: Karl Johnson Stone
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Beneficial insects
Languages : en
Pages : 194

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Book Description
The lesser cornstalk borer, Elosmopalpus lignosell us (Zeller), is an important pest of crops in Florida, causing considerable damage to corn, soybeans, peanuts, sugar cane, field peas, southern peas, and rye. The moth is widely distributed throughout the tropical and temperate regions of the New World, including the southern half of the United States from California to the Carol inas, north on the East Coast to Massachusetts, and south thru Central America and South America to Argentina, Chile, end Peru (Heinrich, 1956). Damage to crops in Florida occurs primarily in areas with muck or sandy soils (Strayer, J.R. ' 1968. Personal communication.). Luginbill and Ainslie (1917) and Lyle (1927) found that damage usually seems greater on thin sandy soils in South Carolina, Florida, and Mississippi. King et al. (1961) in Texcs reported damage is especially severe during drought periods. Leuck (1966) in Georgia reported larvae damage seedlings during drought and when late plantings are followed by hot dry periods. Wide-spread infestations have led to several insecticidal investigations. However, little is known about the moth's reproductive biology. Basic research in this area was facilitated by rearing the insect in the laboratory and examining the reproductive morphology with respect to structure and changes occurring when moths mated or aged. In addition the morphology of the tympanic organ is discussed. Behavioral studies included mating behavior and various factors which influenced this activity: cage conditions, additional females on male mating frequency, age, and male antennectomy. The longevity of virgin and mated moths, spermatophore passage patterns, and fecundity were studied, as well as time of oviposition. Lastly, the response of adults to sound was observed. The above information may facilitate studies on the effects of chemosterilants, antimetabolites, and predator and parasite relationships.