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AN ANALYSIS OF DAILY FORAGING PATTERNS OF LABORATORY COLONIES OF THE EASTERN TENT CATERPILLAR, MALACOSOMA AMERICANUM (LEPIDOPTERA: LASIOCAMPIDAE), RECORDED PHOTOELECTRONICALLY

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  31 May 2012

T. D. Fitzgerald
T. D. Fitzgerald
Affiliation:
Department of Biological Sciences, State University of New York, Cortland 13045
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Abstract

Daily periods of activity of eight colonies of the eastern tent caterpillar, Malacosoma americanum (F.), were monitored photoelectronically under a simulated springtime photoperiod in the laboratory. Colonies averaged 3.7 ± 0.1 (S.E.) activity periods per day (N = 103 colony-days), separated by an average interval of 6.6 ± 0.1 h (N = 389). Foraging trips lasted an average 2.8 ± 0.1 h (N = 397). A plot of 336 activity period midpoints (seven colonies) showed all colony activity peaks to occur between 0600 and 0800 h, 1100 and 1600 h, 1900 and 2100 h, and 0100 and 0400 h. The first three peaks correspond well to previously reported field observations but the early morning foraging trip, which occurred in darkness, was previously unreported by field investigators. The temporal placement of activity peaks shifted from day to day within colonies but the occurrence of evening foraging trips was the most consistent. Dark onset appeared to trigger foraging in resting colonies. Recruitment of hungry caterpillars to food finds appears to be a common component of the foraging strategy of this species.

Résumé

Les périodes journalières d’activité de 8 colonies de la livrée d’Amérique, Malacosoma americanum (F.), ont été observées photoélectroniquement sous une photopériode printannière simulée en laboratoire. Les colonies ont manifesté une moyenne de 3.7 ± 0.1 (ESM) périodes d’activité par jour (N = 103 colonies-jours), séparées par un intervalle moyen de 6.6 ± 0.1 h (N = 389). La durée moyenne des sorties de broutage a été de 2.8 ± 0.1 h (N = 397). Un graphique de 336 points médians de périodes d’activité (7 colonies) a révélé que les pics d’activité de l’ensemble des colonies se situent entre 0600–0800 h, 1100–1600 h, 1900–2100 h, et 0100 et 0400 h. Les 3 premiers pics corroborent des observations de terrain déjà rapportées mais la sortie tôt le matin, observée en période d’obscurité, n’avait pas été rapportée par les observateurs de terrain. La position dans le temps des pics d’activité a changé pour une même colonie, cependant l’heure des sorties effectuées en soirée est demeurée la plus stable. La transition clarté/noirceur a semblé déclencher le broutage chez des colonies au repos. Le recrutement de chenilles affamées aux sites de broutage découverts semble être un élément commun de la stratégie d’alimentation de cette espèce.

Type
Articles
Information
The Canadian Entomologist , Volume 112 , Issue 7 , 01 July 1980 , pp. 731 - 738
Copyright
Copyright © Entomological Society of Canada 1980

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