Applied Entomology and Zoology (2004) 39, 669-674

Norio Arakaki, Yasutsune Sadoyama, Mitsunobu Kishita, Atsushi Nagayama, Akira Oyafuso, Masato Ishimine, Moriya Ota, Toshiharu Akino, Midori Fukaya, Yoshio Hirai, Kohji Yamamura and Sadao Wakamura (2004)
Mating behavior of the scarab beetle Dasylepida ishigakiensis (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae)
Applied Entomology and Zoology 39 (4), 669-674
Abstract: Mating behavior of the scarab beetle Dasylepida ishigakiensis was observed in a sugar cane field in Miyako Is., Okinawa, Japan. In field observations of tethered females on 6 February 2002, calling behaviors were observed only within 30 min of sunset time (18:25-18:55, JST), when light intensity decreased from ca. 500 lx to 1 lx. Mating was strongly affected by temperature: adults appeared and subsequent mating occurred when the temperature at 18:00 was higher than 18°C. Females appeared from the soil, flew to settle on sugar cane leaves and commenced rhythmical abdominal expansion and contraction. Males were attracted to the calling females from leeward, landed on or near the calling female, and immediately mounted. After genital connection, the male raised his legs and suspended himself with his genitalia. Mating lasted for ca 2 h. Most mated D. ishigakiensis females neither appeared from the soil nor attracted males until the end of March, so are considered monogamous. In contrast, males appeared from the soil after mating on evenings warmer than 18°C and probably repeat mating if females are available.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Full text of article
Database assignments for author(s): Norio Arakaki, Midori Fukaya, Kohji Yamamura, Toshiharu Akino, Sadao Wakamura

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
general biology - morphology - evolution

---

Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Dasylepida ishigakiensis	Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum)	Japan