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OVIPOSITION SITE SELECTION IN TENEBRIO MOLITOR (COLEOPTERA: TENEBRIONIDAE)1

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  31 May 2012

G. H. Gerber  and
D. U. Sabourin
G. H. Gerber
Affiliation:
Research Station, Agriculture Canada, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3T 2M9
D. U. Sabourin
Affiliation:
Research Station, Agriculture Canada, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3T 2M9
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Abstract

Oviposition site selection by Tenebrio molitor L. was studied in cylindrical cages 10 cm in diameter × 28 cm in height using females up to 16 days old. Oviposition site selection is not a haphazard process. The adults are surface dwellers and the females normally enter the foodstuff to oviposit. The distance travelled into the foodstuff was age-related; the females went gradually deeper until the 9th day after eclosion. Physical and chemical factors (i.e. type and quality of foodstuff) and biological factors (i.e. adult density and presence of T. molitor eggs and larvae) were assessed when oviposition sites were selected by this insect. The females attempted to avoid poor quality food when selecting oviposition sites and usually laid fewer eggs and died sooner when poor quality food was present. As adult density increased, the females went deeper to oviposit. The females also went deeper to oviposit when eggs and larvae were present, but the effects of eggs and larvae were small and there seemed to be threshold densities as far as both factors were concerned. The behavioural significance of the data is discussed.

Résumé

Le choix du site d'oviposition par Tenebrio molitor L. a été étudié chez des femelles âgées de jusqu'à 16 jours et placées dans des cages cylindriques de 10 cm de diamètre et de 28 cm de hauteur. Le choix du site d'oviposition ne s'effectue pas au hasard. Les adultes vivent en surface, et les femelles pénètrent normalement dans les aliments pour pondre leurs oeufs. La distance parcourue dans l'aliment dépend de l'âge; les femelles cheminent graduellement vers de plus grandes profondeurs jusqu'au 9e jour suivant l'éclosion. Les effets de facteurs physiques et chimiques (c'est-à-dire du type et de la qualité des aliments) et de facteurs biologiques (c'est-à-dire la densité d'adultes et la présence d'oeufs et de larves de T. molitor) sur le choix des sites d'oviposition ont été évalués. Les femelles tentent d'éviter les aliments de qualité médiocre lorsqu'elles choisissent les sites de ponte, et habituellement elles pondent peu et meurent plus tôt lorsque les aliments sont de mauvaise qualité. Lorsque la densité d'adultes augmente, les femelles pénètrent en plus grande profondeur pour déposer leur oeufs. Elles le font également en présence d'oeufs et de larves, mais les effets de ces deux derniers facteurs sont faibles et il semble exister des densités seuil dans leur cas. L'auteur discute également des relations entre les données et le comportement de l'insecte.

Type
Articles
Information
The Canadian Entomologist , Volume 116 , Issue 1 , January 1984 , pp. 27 - 39
Copyright
Copyright © Entomological Society of Canada 1984

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