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CALLING BEHAVIOR OF THE BERTHA ARMYWORM, MAMESTRA CONFIGURATA (LEPIDOPTERA: NOCTUIDAE)1,2

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  31 May 2012

M.A. Howlader
Affiliation:
Agriculture Canada Research Station, 195 Dafoe Road, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada R3T 2M9
G.H. Gerber*
Affiliation:
Agriculture Canada Research Station, 195 Dafoe Road, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada R3T 2M9
*
4Author to whom reprint requests should be sent.

Abstract

The calling posture, diel periodicity of calling, calling pattern, photoperiodic cue of calling, and endogenous circadian rhythm of calling were studied in virgin females of the bertha armyworm, Mamestra configurata Walker, at 20°C, 60% RH, and a 16 h light: 8 h dark photoperiod. The female had a definite calling posture: the ovipositor was extruded and curved downward at an angle of about 45°, the wings were raised above the abdomen in the form of a “V”, the antennae were directed posteriorly and held close to the sides of the thorax, and the abodmen was bent so that the two ends were raised slightly and the middle was lowered. Calling had a discrete diel periodicity, occurring in the last two-thirds of the scotophase. The calling pattern was characteristic of the continuous pattern of calling. The lights-off signal was the photoperiodic cue responsible for setting the timing of the diel periodicity of calling. The circadian rhythm of calling was endogenously based.

Résumé

On a étudié la posture d’appel, la périodicité journalière de l’appel, le patron d’appel, le signal photopériodique de l’appel, et la rythmicité circadienne de la l’appel, chez des femelles vierges de la légionnaire bertha, Mamestra configurata Walker, à 20°C, 60% d’HR, et une photopériode de 16 h de clarté et 8 h de noirceur. La femelle exhibe une posture typique d’appel : l’ovipositeur est protracté et recourbé vers le bas à un angle d’environ 45°, les ailes sont placées en V au-dessus de l’abdomen, les antennes sont dirigées vers l’arrière et maintenues près des côtés du thorax, et l’abdomen est tendu de sorte que les deux bouts sont légèrement relevés alors que le centre est abaissé. L’appel se manifeste selon une périodicité journalière distincte, ayant lieu dans les deux derniers tiers de la scotophase. Le patron d’appel est caractéristique du patron continu d’appel. La fermeture des lumières est le signal photopériodique qui ajuste la périodicité de l’appel. Le rythme circadien d’appel a une base endogène.

Type
Articles
Copyright
Copyright © Entomological Society of Canada 1986

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Footnotes

1

Contribution No. 1206, Agriculture Canada Research Station, 195 Dafoe Road, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3T 2M9.

2

From a thesis submitted by M.A. Howlader to the Faculty of Graduate Studies, University of Manitoba, in partial fulfillment of the requirements of the degree of Doctor of Philosophy.

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