Abstract

Examination of internal reproductive systems of pales weevil, Hylobius pales (Herbst), collected in the Raleigh-Durham area of North Carolina from mid-August to mid-May, revealed that this species has a reproductive diapause characterized by agametogenesis, high fat content, and gonadal atrophy. A progressive reduction in reproduction was initiated in September and reached a maximum (near 100%) in December. Recovery of gametogenetic activity was complete by early February. Oogenetic changes were more uniform than spermatogenetic changes. Fluctuations in relative age and fat content coincided with this overwintering period. Reproducing females contained an average of 5.7 ova and 21.9 oocytes. The relative fat content in the reproducing population fluctuated in both sexes but that of the females decreased drastically with oogenesis. Severe endoparasitism affected both the reproductive organs and gametogenesis.

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