Age related changes in the calling behaviour and the attractiveness of obliquebanded leafroller virgin females, Choristoneura rosaceana, under different constant and fluctuating temperature conditions

Abstract

AbstractC. rosaceana (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) virgin females initiated calling in the first scotophase following emergence at both 15° and 20 °C constant temperature under a 16L:8D photoperiod. As females aged, the onset of calling occurred much earlier, and the time spent calling increased significantly at both temperature conditions. For a given age, the onset of calling occurred significantly earlier at 15 °C than at 20 °C, but the duration of calling did not vary with temperature. Similar results were obtained under warm and cold thermocycles that simulated natural conditions prevailing during the summer and fall flight periods. A comparison of the degree of attractancy of different‐aged females (0, 3, and 5 days old) in the field showed that the attractiveness of 0‐day‐old females relative to that of 3‐day old females did not vary between flights. However, compared to day‐5 females, the relative attractiveness of 0‐ and 3‐day‐old females was greater in the summer than in the fall flights. The potential adaptative value of these changes for seasonal mating success are discussed.