Mating success and mating behaviour of the aphid, Myzus persicae (Hemiptera: Aphididae)
2002
Doherty, H.M. | Hales, D.F. (Macquarie Univ. (Australia). Dept. of Biological Sciences)
In this study, aspects of the reproductive performance and behaviour of male Myzus persicae were investigated. We report that males of clones possessing an autosomal 1,3 translocation conferring insecticide resistance show a weak trend for a reduction in reproductive potential. Clones with the translocation that can produce males but no mating females (androcyclic clones) did not have an additional disadvantage. The age of virgin males and females affected mating success. Young males and females, 0-5 days old, were the most successful with respect to the number of females mated and number of eggs produced. There was a decline in reproductive potential after 9-10 days into adult life for males and after 4-5 days for females. Mating behaviour was observed in the laboratory and described. Some pre-copulatory stroking behaviour by the fore and hind legs of the male was observed. Females occasionally walked in copula sometimes resulting in the disengagement of the male before the termination of mating. Average mating duration in the experimental conditions was 10.5+/-4.0 minutes and both males and females readily mated more than once.
Show more [+] Less [-]AGROVOC Keywords
Bibliographic information
This bibliographic record has been provided by Library of Antonin Svehla