Mating Behavior of Oemona hirta (F.) (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae: Cerambycinae) in Laboratory Conditions

Abstract

Oemona hirta (F.) is a New Zealand longicorn beetle. Its larvae are known to bore into wood of branches and stems of living trees and vines of over 50 species, most of which are exotic such as citrus, apple, persimmon, cherry, chestnut, almond, walnut, grape and poplar, causing serious damage (Miller, 1925; Hudson, 1934; Dumbleton, 1937; Clearwater, 1981; Spiller and Wise, 1982; Rohitha et al., 1992). Adults are flower feeders (Dye, 1950). Control of this pest is still very difficult. Knowledge of mating behavior may provide information for the future development of monitoring and control measures for the pest, and enhance our understanding of the biology and ecology of cerambycid beetles. Several attempts were made to observe mating activities of O. hirta beetles in the field but all failed (Dye, 1950; Clearwater and Muggleston, 1985; Q. Wang, unpublished data). Previous studies show that (1) caged virgin males and females and black light failed to attract any adult of either sex in the field (Clearwater and Muggleston, 1985; Q. Wang, unpublished data), (2) adults of both sexes were attracted to fermenting plant materials (Dye, 1950), and (3) females preferred wounds on trees as oviposition sites (Dye, 1950; Clearwater and Muggleston, 1985). These observations appear