Abstract
Strains of Oncopeltus fasciatus (Dallas) reared for 10 generations on mixtures of cashew and sunflower seed or pumpkin and sunflower seed show much variability and still produce about 25% of females of low or 0 fecundity. Among the fecund females, many virgins lay infertile eggs in large numbers, and egg production is often enhanced by frequent mating with either normal or castrate males. A single copulation with a normal male has at most a minor and short-lasting effect on the egg production rate of a female, even when enough sperm is transferred to make possible production of some fertile eggs for several weeks. Not enough sperm is transferred to allow fertilization of all eggs laid. The normal pattern of frequent mating seems to be essential both for activation of maximal egg production and maximal egg fertility. The mechanism of male activation is not yet known, but does not seem to involve the presence of sperm.
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