Abstract
Characteristics of a well–established population of the mantid, Tenodera sinensis (Saussure), were examined during the adult portion of its life cycle, for three consecutive years (1990–1992). During the fall of 1992, changes in body mass of females in well-fed and starved experimental cohorts were compared with those in the open field, as a measure of food limitation in this population. The open field cohort maintained mean body mass at a level intermediate to the experimental cohorts. However, some individuals in the field did as well as those in the well–fed cohort, whereas none did as poorly as in the starved cohort. Ootheca production was greatly reduced in 1992 compared with the previous 2 yr. This could not be attributed to food limitation, because even well–fed experimental animals failed to oviposit. Lower temperatures in 1992 slowed development rate, reducing the number of females that reached imago in time to oviposit before killing frost. Thus, even when food limitation is not severe, stochastic reduction in degree–days could cause local or even regional extinction, especially in temperate univoltine species of low vagility such as T. sinensis .
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.