Dim light during scotophase enhances sexual behavior of the oriental tobacco budworm Helicoverpa assulta (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Authors

  • Huiting Li Department of Entomology, College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
  • Shuo Yan Department of Entomology, College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
  • Zhen Li Department of Entomology, College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
  • Qingwen Zhang Department of Entomology, College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
  • Xiaoxia Liu Department of Entomology, College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China

Keywords:

calling behavior, mating, sex pheromone, spermatophore, (Z)-9-hexadecenal

Abstract

The role of light in sexual behavior of lepidopteran species has been studied for many years because of the wide variation in the habits of moths and butterflies. Light level is important for mating of butterflies, but information on the potential role of light on sexual behavior in nocturnal moths is scanty. This study was conducted to determine the relationship between light intensity and sexual behavior in a nocturnal moth species. The mating frequency and the hourly variations of both calling behavior and sex pheromone titer in the oriental tobacco budworm Helicoverpa assulta (Guenée) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) were determined under several light intensities (0.0, 0.5, 5.0, and 50.0 lux). We found that 1) high-intensity light (50.0 lux) suppressed calling behavior, pheromone production, and mating; 2) low-intensity light (0.5 lux) significantly promoted female calling and mating in less time (1 h) than in complete darkness (0.0 lux); and 3) no relationship existed between sex pheromone production and calling behavior. These results suggested that low-intensity light (0.5 lux) promoted mating. This study provides reliable background information for using sex pheromones in conjunction with light traps for integrated management of nocturnal moths.

 

Resumen

Se ha estudiado el papel de la luz en el comportamiento sexual de las especies de lepidópteros por muchos años debido a la amplia variación en los hábitos de polillas y mariposas. El nivel de luz es importante para el apareamiento de las mariposas, sin embargo, la información sobre el posible papel de la luz sobre el comportamiento sexual en las polillas nocturnas es escasa. Se realizó este estudio para determinar la relación entre la intensidad de la luz y el comportamiento sexual en una especie nocturna de polilla. Se determinaron la frecuencia de apareamiento y las variaciones horarias tanto de comportamiento de llamar y el título de la feromona sexual del gusano oriental de la yema del tabaco, Helicoverpa assulta (Guenée) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) bajo varias intensidades de luz (0.0, 0.5, 5.0 y 50.0 lux). Se encontró que 1) la luz de alta intensidad (50.0 lux) suprimió el comportamiento de llamar, la produc­ción de feromonas y el apareamiento, 2) la luz de baja intensidad (0.5 lux) promovió significativamente la llamada de la hembras y el apareamiento en menos tiempo (1 h) que en la más completa oscuridad (0.0 lux). 3) También se encontró ninguna relación entre la producción de feromonas sexuales y el comportamiento de llamar. Estos resultados sugieren que la luz de baja intensidad (0.5 lux) promueve el apareamiento. Este estudio provee una información de base confiable para el uso de feromonas sexuales en conjunto con trampas de luz para el manjeo integrada de las mariposas nocturnas.

 

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Issue

Vol. 98, No. 2 (June 2015)

Section

Research Papers

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