Characterization of the imaginal reproductive diapause of Oebalus poecilus (Dallas) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae).

R S S Santos,L R Redaelli,H P Romanowski,L M G Diefenbach,H F Prando

doi:10.1590/s1519-69842003000400017

R S S Santos, L R Redaelli + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1590/s1519-69842003000400017

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Abstract

The state of development of the internal reproductive organs of male and female Oebalus poecilus (Dallas) as well as the body fat amount in the abdominal cavity during hibernation, of individuals sampled in bamboo litter in Eldorado do Sul (30 masculine 02'S and 51 degrees 23'W), RS, Brazil was investigated. Females and males showed the abdominal cavity filled with body fat in the beginning of the hibernation phase. The decrease in fat reserve level occurred from August on for males and from October on for females. Ovaries and testis doubled in length and tripled in width from immature to the reproductive phase. Male sexual maturation occurred in the hibernation sites while for females it occurred later on outside of the sites. Reproductive organ immaturity and abdominal body fat hypertrophy characterized the diapause of O. poecilus.

Highlights

Oebalus poecilus (Dallas), commonly known as the small rice stink bug, is one of the main pests of irrigated rice in Brazil (Rosseto et al, 1972; Gallo et al, 2002)
Few studies deal with physiological age grading based upon internal reproductive organ characteristics and of body fat amount contained in the abdominal cavity of pentatomids
The present study was conducted to describe the development of the internal reproductive organs of O. poecilus, as well as to evaluate the body fat amount contained in the abdominal cavity during hibernation

Summary

Introduction

Oebalus poecilus (Dallas), commonly known as the small rice stink bug, is one of the main pests of irrigated rice in Brazil (Rosseto et al, 1972; Gallo et al, 2002). Nilakhe (1976) observed that the hibernating females of Oebalus pugnax (F.) show atrophied ovaries and great body-fat amounts in the abdominal cavity. The present study was conducted to describe the development of the internal reproductive organs of O. poecilus, as well as to evaluate the body fat amount contained in the abdominal cavity during hibernation.

Results

Conclusion