Age Influence on Sexual Behavior of the Lesser Cornstalk Borer, Elasmopalpus lignosellus (Zeller) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae).

Abstract

The objective of this work was to evaluate the reproductive behavior and response of Elasmopalpus lignosellus (Zeller) males to calling females. Frequency of mating was recorded in couples during the first 7days of the adult stage. Calling behavior of females was observed during the first 4days of the adult stage and responses of males, in the same age intervals, to calling females were recorded in wind tunnel bioassays. The maximum number of matings occurred when the couple was between 24 and 48h old. The scotophase period significantly influenced mating behavior, which peaked between 6 and 8h of darkness and the mean mating duration was 93.9±4.2min. Calling females, when evaluated in a wind tunnel, attracted significantly more males than in bioassays with clean air (control). The number of individuals in calling behavior was significantly lower for females that were between 0 to 24h old compared to the other females evaluated, but this did not influence male response. A lower proportion of males between 48 to 72h old responded to calling females and these responses were delayed in comparison with males of other ages (0 to 24, 24 to 48, and 72 to 96h old). These results indicate that the age of E. lignosellus males influences the response to conspecific calling females.