Comparison of Female Reproductive Effort and Male Mating Success between Macropterous and Brachypterous Forms of the Small Brown Planthopper, Laodelphax striatellus (Homoptera: Delphacidae)

Abstract

The reproductive traits of female adults of the small brown planthopper, Laodelphax striatellus were compared between brachypterous and macropterous forms under 25°C and 16L-8D conditions. The reproductive rate and the reproductive effort of brachypterous females were higher than that of macropterous females. Brachypterous females appearesd to allocate more energy to reproduction than macropterous females. The mating success of males was assessed in terms of the eye color of nymphs, sired by either of the males in competition between the two forms. The mating success of males did not differ between the winged forms at 17°C or 25°C. Thus, the fitness advantage of wing reduction in males was not clear.