THE MATING STATUS OF SPRUCE BUDWORM MALES, CHORISTONEURA FUMIFERANA (CLEM.) (LEPIDOPTERA: TORTRICIDAE), CAUGHT IN PHEROMONE-BAITED TRAPS

Abstract

The mating status of recently-mated male spruce budworm moths, Choristoneura fumiferana (Clem.) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), caught in traps baited with five different treatments was indexed. During two sampling periods at two test sites both virgin and mated C. fumiferana males were trapped. Significantly more unmated males were captured early in the flight season. There was no significant difference between the proportion of mated and unmated males caught near the end of the flight season. Within sampling periods and sites there were not significant differences among treatments in the proportion of mated males captured nor were these proportions significantly different within sampling periods and between sites. Within sites and between sampling periods the proportion of mated males captured was significantly different, with more mated males being trapped during the later sampling period. The four lepidopteran species for which methodologies have been developed for indexing male mating status are compared with respect to the nature and behaviour of the colored ejaculatory duct fluids that are used as markers of mating history. Current limitations of the method are discussed and possible solutions to these are suggested.