Biocontrol Science and Technology (2012) 22, 81-91

Zhong-Shi Zhou, Jian-Ying Guo, Wei Guo, Hai-Yan Zheng and Fang-Hao Wan (2012)
Effects of morphological traits, age and copulation experience on mate choice in Ophraella communa
Biocontrol Science and Technology 22 (1), 81-91
Abstract: Ophraella communa is a biological control agent of invasive common ragweed, Ambrosia artemisiifolia. To understand the mate choice tactic of the beetle and improve mass-rearing of high-quality populations, the effects of morphological traits, age and copulation experience on mate choice in this beetle were studied in the laboratory. The results showed thatmate choice of male or female was related to certain adult morphological traits. Wing length, black streak width of frons and metaleg femur length of males were central to female mate choice. Females with longer wing length, black streak width of frons, pronotum width and foreleg tibia length were more attractive to males than those with the smaller ones. The chosen rate of older males was significantly higher than those of younger ones, and the chosen rate of females reached a maximum value on the 8th day after eclosion. The newly copulated females were less attractive to males than virgins, but females that have copulated in the distant past were more attractive than or were similar to virgins. The chosen rates of virgin males were significantly higher than those of newly copulated and 8 days past copulated ones, but no difference between virgin males and 3, 5 or 12 days past copulated ones in O. communa. The results of our study have added much needed empirical data regarding the significance of morphological traits, age and copulation experience as a source of variation in insect copulation signals. In addition, the results provide valuable information for mass-rearing of high-quality populations of O. communa.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Fang Hao Wan

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
biocontrol - natural enemies
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
general biology - morphology - evolution
rearing/culturing/mass production

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Ambrosia artemisiifolia (weed)
Ophraella communa (weed bioagent)	Ambrosia artemisiifolia (weed)