Reproductive potential of Spodoptera eridania (Stoll) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in the laboratory: effect of multiple couples and the size

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of keeping three couples in the same cage, and the size of adults emerged from small, medium-sized and large pupae (278.67 mg; 333.20 mg and 381.58 mg, respectively), on the reproductive potential of S. eridania (Stoll, 1782) adults, under controlled conditions (25 ± 1 °C, 70% RH and 14 hour photophase). We evaluated the survival, number of copulations, fecundity and fertility of the adult females. The survival of females from these different pupal sizes did not differ statistically, but the survival of males from large pupae was statistically shorter than from small pupae. Fecundity differed significantly and correlated positively with size. The number of effective copulations (espematophores) and fertility did not vary significantly with pupal size. Our results emphasize the importance of indicating the number of copulations and the size of the insects when reproductive parameters are compared.Keywords: Southern armyworm, spermatophore, fertility, reproduction.Potencial reprodutivo de Spodoptera eridania (Stoll) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) em laboratório: efeito de múltiplos casais e do tamanho ResumoEste estudo objetivou avaliar o efeito de confinar três casais em cada gaiola e o tamanho de adultos emergidos de pupas pequenas, medias e grandes (278,67 mg, 333,20 mg e 381,58 mg, respectivamente), sobre o potencial reprodutivo de S. eridania (Stoll, 1782), em condições controladas (25 ± 1 °C, 70% UR e 14 horas de fotofase). Avaliou-se a sobrevivência, o número de cópulas, fecundidade e fertilidade dos adultos. A sobrevivência não diferiu significativamente entre fêmeas provenientes de pupas de diferentes tamanhos, mas os machos oriundos de pupas grandes tiveram sobrevivência significativamente menor que os demais tamanhos. A fecundidade diferiu significativamente e correlacionou-se positivamente com o tamanho. O número de cópulas (espematóforos) e a fertilidade não variaram em função do peso pupal. Os resultados enfatizam a importância de indicar o número de cópulas e o tamanho dos insetos estudados para que comparações entre os parâmetros reprodutivos possam ser efetuadas.Palavras-chave: lagarta militar do Sul, espermatóforo, fertilidade, reprodução.

Immature stages of Spodoptera cosmioides (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae): developmental parameters and host plants

“…The relatively high egg viability and fecundity values observed (Table 1) are common for Spodoptera species. Previous studies have documented that multiple mating in Spodoptera enhances their reproductive capacity, including fertility (kehat & gordon 1975, Sadek 2001, Sadek & anderSon 2007, BuSato et al 2008, Milano et al 2008, Montezano et al 2013b, 2014a, 2015b, SPeCht et al 2016. The incubation period of S. cosmioides was variable.…”

Effect of Azadirachta indica (Sapindales: Meliaceae) Oil on Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) Larvae and Adults

“…Arrese & Soulages (2010) stated that the amount of nutrients stocked during the larval period greatly impacts the adult and can reduce their fecundity. Spodoptera eridania Stoll (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) females that emerged from smaller pupae had a lower fecundity than those that emerged from larger ones (Specht et al 2015).…”

The Granulate Cutworm (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae): Biological Parameters Under Controlled Conditions, Host Plants, and Distribution in the Americas

“…To stimulate the feeding of moths, Pilsen beer was daily added to the solution at a proportion of 1:4 beer to the diet and made available to the insects ( Hoffmann-Campo et al 1985 ). To evaluate the effect of pupal weight on reproductive parameters ( Tisdale and Sappington 2001 , Specht et al 2016 ), records made on the second day after metamorphosis were kept and the fecundity was correlated with pupal weight. Mortality was recorded during the daily changes of moths to new cages; dead moths were kept in 2.5 ml microtubes with ethyl alcohol (96° GL).…”