engleski

Box tree moth mating behavior in the field and laboratory

BTM mating behavior experiments were conducted in: i) semifield conditions and ii) in open field conditions. Fully developed larvae and pupas were collected in public areas and private gardens and were transferred into laboratory for development to adults (one pupae/plactis cup). 1-2 days old virgin females were used for experiments. Experiments in semifield conditions: Experiments on mating behavior in semifield conditions were conducted during May, July and August 2020. Year by using field cages with 10 males and 10 females per cage (30 x 30 x 30 cm) that were placed in field. Observation of mating behavior were conducted during period starting two hours before sunset till sunrise next morning. When couple mating is observed, same are collected in cup and mating duration is recorded. After mating is finished, adults were separate each from other and then male is taken out from the cup. Precise time of mating event was collected for each matting pair. Total of 48 pairs were observed during 3 generations. Results shows that BTM exhibits simple mating behavior. All 48 mating’s occurred during scotophase. When mating pairs starting with copula during late scotophase (one hour before morning twilight), it was observed that mating can be extend to morning twilight period by 3 pairs in spring generation and 3 pairs in autumn generation. Mating pairs remain in copula for a mean of 71, 27 minutes: 89, 3 min. for 1st generation ; 70, 5 min. for 2nd generation and 67, 12 min. for 3rd generation. Experiments in open field conditions: BTM mating behavior experiments in the open field were conducted during 2021 and 2022. following methodology described by Height et al. 2003. for assessment of mating behavior of Cactoblastis cactorum (Pyralidae). Experiments were conducted during first and second flight in the coastal and inland area of Split – Dalmatia county. Methodology includes using of individual mating tables with 17, 5 cm diameter of mating arena (1 virgin female per table) and communal tables (10 virgin females per table) with 61 cm diameter of mating arena. Patches of box plants were selected for placement of both individual and communal mating tables. Total of 26 individual tables and 11 communal tables were used for mating behavior data collection. Tables were placed on host and non-host plants. Experiments were conducted during peak of flight of wild adults and tables were placed in the field 1 hour before sunset. To be sure that males are present in the experimental area, males originate from the laboratory were released in the morning and during afternoon always around twice more than females number on a day of experiment. Females express calling their behavior only during evening twilight by elongation of the abdomen (not upward but just straight) and wing flapping. This behavior least around 30 – 35 minutes before sunset. There is no calling behavior during night and neither during morning twilight. Males were observed standing on the nearby box plants or non - host Cupresus trees (3-4 males) on a distance from 2-3 meters from the tables. Some males were sawn flying around tables and above table during females calling period. During observation in period 2021-2022 after “calling period” no pairs were obtained mating. Method for assessment of mating behavior for C. cactorum did not show any results on BTM mating behavior in filed experiments.

Box tree moth, Cydalima perspectalis, mating behavior, mating tables

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