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LIFE CYCLE OF LAMBDINA ATHASARIA (WALKER) (LEPIDOPTERA: GEOMETRIDAE) DEVELOPING ON HEMLOCK IN CONNECTICUT

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  31 May 2012

Chris T. Maier  and
Carol R. Lemmon
Chris T. Maier
Affiliation:
Department of Entomology, The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, PO Box 1106, New Haven, Connecticut, USA 06504
Carol R. Lemmon
Affiliation:
Department of Entomology, The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, PO Box 1106, New Haven, Connecticut, USA 06504
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Abstract

During 1992 and 1993, we studied the life cycle of Lambdina athasaria (Walker) developing on eastern hemlock, Tsuga canadensis (L.) Carrière, in Connecticut. The geometrid was univoltine, overwintering as a pupa. Adults emerged during 4 weeks in May and June after hemlock budbreak. Males emerged significantly earlier than females, and both sexes emerged earlier in 1993 than in 1992. Males flew for 4–5 weeks annually. Based on measurements of head capsule width, larvae had five or six instars, which fed from June to October. Early instars ate new growth, and older ones fed on old growth. Until mid-August, larval development was more advanced in 1993 than in 1992. Larvae descended from trees in September and October to pupate in the duff beneath trees. Lambdina athasaria can be distinguished from congeneric species that feed on conifers by its overwintering stage, flight period, larval size, and host.

Résumé

Au cours de 1992 et 1993, nous avons étudié le développement de l’arpenteuse Lambdina athasaria (Walker) sur des pruches, Tsuga canadensis (L.) Carrière, au Connecticut. Il s’agit d’une espèce univoltine qui passe l’hiver à l’état de chrysalide. Les adultes émergent pendant 4 semaines en mai et en juin, après l’éclosion des bourgeons de la pruche. Les mâles sortent significativement plus tôt que les femelles et les individus des deux sexes sont apparus plus tôt en 1993 qu’en 1992. Les mâles sont présents 4–5 semaines chaque année. D’après la largeur des capsules céphaliques, le cycle comporte cinq ou six stades larvaires et les larves se nourrissent de juin à octobre. Les très jeunes larves se nourrissent des nouvelles pousses et les larves plus âgées consomment les pousses plus anciennes. Jusqu’au milieu d’août, le développement a été plus rapide en 1993 qu’en 1992. Les larves descendent des arbres en septembre et octobre et font leur nymphose dans la litière du sol au pied des arbres. Lambdina athasaria se distingue des autres espèces du genre qui se nourrissent de conifères par la forme sous laquelle elle passe l’hiver, par sa période de vol, la taille de ses larves et la nature de son hôte.

[Traduit par la Rédaction]

Type
Articles
Information
The Canadian Entomologist , Volume 128 , Issue 6 , December 1996 , pp. 995 - 1003
Copyright
Copyright © Entomological Society of Canada 1996

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