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Diapause development in the sorghum midge, Contarinia sorghicola (Coquillett) (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae)

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 July 2009

N. W. Forrester
Affiliation:
NSW Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Station, Narrabri, NSW, 2390, Australia

Abstract

Diapause development in Contarinia sorghicola (Coquillett) was found to be favoured by temperatures in the range 23–30°C. Higher temperatures (30–35°C) were suboptimal, while diapause development proceeded much more slowly at lower temperatures (5–20°C). The rate of diapause development was linear, and no minimum threshold development temperature could be established from the range of temperatures studied (lowest 5°C). The period from diapause initiation to emergence (diapause development requirement plus a 2·5-week post-diapause development requirement) was predicted to be 6 months at 27°C and 7·5 months at 23°C. It is suggested that C. sorghicola probably evolved a diapause stage in response to the absence of its host-plant during the long dry season of the African savanna region. The possibility of strains with differential diapause reactions is raised. Sex ratios favoured females slightly.

Type
Original Articles
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1987

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