Florida Entomologist (1994) 77, 402-410

C.E. Rogers and O.G. Marti Jr. (1994)
Reproductive potential of once-mated moths of the fall armyworm (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)
Florida Entomologist 77 (4), 402-410
Abstract: A laboratory study of the effects of age at a single mating on the reproductive potential of the fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith), revealed that of 389 pairs of moths tested, 106, 281, and 2 pairs transferred 0, 1, or 2 spermatophores, respectively. Pairs that did not transfer a spermatophore mated when males and females averaged 7.0 and 8.8 days of age, respectively. Pairs transferring a single spermatophore mated when males and females averaged 5.9 and 6.3 days of age, respectively. The pairs transferring two spermatophores during one-night's pairing averaged 8 and 9 days of age at mating for males and females, respectively. The age of females at a single mating significantly affected their fecundity (r = -0.92; P <0.01), fertility (r = -0.61; P <0.01), and longevity (r = 0.83; P <0.01). Male age at a single mating significantly influenced only the fertility of eggs laid by their respective female partner (r = -0.92; P <0.01). Two days post-emergence was the optimum age for mating by both male and female moths for maximum fecundity and fertility. Delaying mating by females significantly lengthened their survival.
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Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
general biology - morphology - evolution

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Spodoptera frugiperda