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Copulation behaviour of Helopeltis bakeri Poppius (Hemiptera: Miridae) under laboratory conditions

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 April 2025

Leslie Ann Ormenita Open the ORCID record for Leslie Ann Ormenita [Opens in a new window] ,
Alberto T. Barrion ,
Jose Isagani Janairo ,
Dionisio Alvindia ,
Thaddeus Carvajal ,
Joeselle Serrana  and
Divina M. Amalin
Leslie Ann Ormenita*
Affiliation:
Department of Biology, College of Science, De La Salle University, Manila, Philippines Biological Control Research Unit, Center for Natural Sciences and Environmental Research, De La Salle University, Manila, Philippines
Alberto T. Barrion
Affiliation:
Department of Biology, College of Science, De La Salle University, Manila, Philippines Biological Control Research Unit, Center for Natural Sciences and Environmental Research, De La Salle University, Manila, Philippines
Jose Isagani Janairo
Affiliation:
Department of Biology, College of Science, De La Salle University, Manila, Philippines Biological Control Research Unit, Center for Natural Sciences and Environmental Research, De La Salle University, Manila, Philippines
Dionisio Alvindia
Affiliation:
Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PHilMech), Central Luzon State University Compound, Science City of Munoz, Nueva Ecija, Philippines
Thaddeus Carvajal
Affiliation:
Department of Biology, College of Science, De La Salle University, Manila, Philippines Biological Control Research Unit, Center for Natural Sciences and Environmental Research, De La Salle University, Manila, Philippines Ehime University-De La Salle University International Collaborative Research Laboratory (EU-DLSU ICRL), George S.K. Ty Advanced Instrumentation Bldg, De La Salle University, Laguna, Philippines
Joeselle Serrana
Affiliation:
Department of Environmental Science (ACES), Stockholm University Center for Circular and Sustainable Systems (SUCCeSS), Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
Divina M. Amalin
Affiliation:
Department of Biology, College of Science, De La Salle University, Manila, Philippines Biological Control Research Unit, Center for Natural Sciences and Environmental Research, De La Salle University, Manila, Philippines Ehime University-De La Salle University International Collaborative Research Laboratory (EU-DLSU ICRL), George S.K. Ty Advanced Instrumentation Bldg, De La Salle University, Laguna, Philippines
*
Corresponding author: Leslie Ann Ormenita; Email: [email protected]
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Abstract

There is interest in exploring biodegradable chemicals, e.g. sex pheromones, in behaviour manipulation to control the polyphagous mirid species Helopeltis bakeri Poppius. Understanding this insect pest’s reproductive behaviour is critical for identifying and isolating semiochemicals. H. bakeri rate of sexual maturation was determined by identifying the time the winged adult changed colour after the 5th and final nymphal form. We verified that there was no significant difference in the rate of colour change for both sexes. Copulation lasted an average of 167.0 ± 77.1 min and was observed on mating pairs >72 h old from the time of final molt. Close-range copulation behaviour of H. bakeri was recorded using the Behavioral Observation Research Interactive Software, and sequential behaviour analysis was performed by creating adjacency matrices. The ethograms revealed the absence of specific calling behaviour from either of the sexes. However, the male’s active pursuit of the female may indicate the latter’s role in releasing sex attractants. Using a wind tunnel, it was observed that the number of male visitations of 96-h to 120-h-old females significantly differed from the attraction in younger females (p < 0.05) and peaked from 2:00 PM to 12:00 AM. This supports the crepuscular nature of this mirid species. The difference in the sex maturation age and maximum male attraction implies that the secretion of sex attractant could happen after the completion of development, i.e. the exhibition of colour dimorphism.

Keywords

copulationHelopeltis bakeri poppiussequential behaviour analysissex pheromoneTheobroma cacao L
Type
Research Paper
Information
Bulletin of Entomological Research , First View , pp. 1 - 8
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Copyright
© The Author(s), 2025. Published by Cambridge University Press.

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