Average Number Of Eggs Research Articles

Reproductive behaviour of Physalaemus kroyeri (Anura: Leiuperidae) in the municipality of Jequié, state of Bahia

From August 2010 to April 2011 we surveyed two different areas, located in the municipality of Jequié, State of Bahia, to obtain information about the reproductive biology of Physalaemus kroyeri. Data on the spatial and temporal distribution of P. kroyeri were recorded. Physalaemus kroyeri may be classified as a prolonged breeder with a reproductive period linked to rainfall. The average number of eggs in the foam nest of P. kroyeri is one of the highest recorded for the genus. Our results are coincident with the known reproductive behaviour of congeneric species and may be viewed as reproductive adaptations to open and highly seasonal environments.

Suitability of Centella Asiatica (Pegaga) as a Food Source for Rearing Spodoptera Litura (F.) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) under Laboratory Conditions

Abstract When conducting entomological research, it is necessary to have a sufficient quantity of the desired pest. One of the pests commonly used in research is Spodoptera litura. Mass rearing of herbivorous caterpillars like S. litura requires large amounts of a suitable food source. Hence, the use of an easy-to-grow host plant would be most practical and reasonable. Centella asiatica known as ‘pegaga’ grows easily, produces plenty of leaves, and is available throughout the year in Malaysia. The suitability of C. asiatica as a food source for S. litura was evaluated by studying the biology of this pest on excised C. asiatica leaves, under laboratory conditions. S. litura completed its whole life cycle in 29 to 35 days. The mean pupal weight and the average number of eggs laid by a single female were 0.341 g and 1,930 eggs, respectively. Daily monitoring of the larval development stages as well as analysis on the width of head capsules, revealed the existence of six instars during the larval stages of S. litura. The cumulative survival rate for immature developmental stages was 80%, while the stage-specific survivorship was over 90%. This study demonstrated the use of ‘pegaga’ as a suitable new food source for when rearing S. litura larvae in the laboratory.

Development of a method for long-term preservation of Bombyx mori silkworm strains using frozen ovaries

Development of long-term preservation is essential for conservation of stocks of silkworm genetic resources. Thus far, a few methods have been reported, but more improvement is required for practical use. We have developed two effective modifications of a method for long-term preservation using frozen ovaries. One was slow cooling (1°C per min) until −80°C of the donor ovaries made possible by use of a BICELL freezing vessel. Using donor ovaries of 4th instar larvae, the average number of eggs laid per moth increased significantly from 110.7±53.4 eggs per moth by slow cooling with the BICELL vessel vs 12.3±10.3 eggs per moth by direct cooling in liquid nitrogen. A second improvement was connecting the thread bodies of the donor ovaries with those of the host in the transplantation step. Females operated on with the new method yielded a significantly higher percentage of moths that laid fertilized eggs than those transplanted with the standard procedure (70.4±21.6% vs 22.9±9.3%).

Reproductive impairment and endocrine disruption in goldfish by feeding diets containing soybean meal

A long-term feeding experiment was conducted to investigate the inclusion of soybean meal in diets for goldfish (Carassius auratus) on fish reproduction. In the present study, 20 weeks after hatching, goldfish with an initial average weight of 2±0.03g (mean±SD) were divided into 12 groups (three tanks per dietary treatment) and fed 400gkg−1 crude protein diets. The four experimental diets were as follows: diet 1, fish meal (FM); diet 2, 35% soybean meal (SBM35%); diet 3, 65% soybean meal (SBM65%); diet 4, 100% soybean meal (SBM100%). After feeding with experimental diets, the impact on reproduction was investigated. In both males and females, the plasma testosterone (T) was significantly decreased, while 17β-estradiol (E2) levels were significantly increased. Levels of 17α, hydroxyprogesterone. (17-OH-P) did not differ as a result of soybean meal feeding in either males or females. The average number of eggs spawned and sperm quality were reduced on feeding with soybean inclusion. Histological examination showed impact on oocyte maturation progress and spermatogenesis process in female and male fish, respectively. In addition, feeding goldfish with soybean meal until maturation caused reduction in fertilization and hatching rates in parallel to increasing soybean meal inclusion. The results demonstrated that inclusion of soybean meal might cause sex hormone biosynthesis disruption and reproductive impairments in fish, ultimately decreased fertilization as well as hatching rates in the offspring.

Do long- and short-winged adult females of the bug Pyrrhocoris apterus (Heteroptera: Pyrrhocoridae) differ in lifespan and reproductive capacity?

In the present study we tested whether long-winged (macropterous) and short-winged (brachypterous) adult females of the firebug Pyrrhocoris apterus (L.) differ in their reproductive capacity and length of life. The following seven physiological markers were measured in these females: lengths of the pre-oviposition period (pre-OP), inter-ovipositon period (inter-OP) and post-oviposition period (post-OP), and the mean number of eggs per batch, total number of eggs, mean total number of egg batches laid and lifespan of the females. The results showed that macropterous and brachypterous females significantly differed in the length of the pre-OP, which was significantly shorter in brachypterous (7.95 ± 1.75 days) than in macropterous females (26.84 ± 9.86 days), but there was no significant difference between the lengths of the inter-OP in brachypterous (4.00-8.79 days) and macropterous (3.00-9.89 days) females. In contrast the length of the post-OP was significantly longer in brachypterous (48.23 ± 30.95 days) than in macropterous females (35.02 ± 17.32 days). Except for the 2nd and 3rd egg batches there was no significant difference between the average numbers of eggs in the other egg batches laid by females of the two wing morphs. Total number of eggs laid by macropterous females during their whole lifespan was not significantly lower (326.47 ± 155.65 eggs) than by brachypterous females (382.82 ± 207.52 eggs), but associated with the lower number of egg batches laid by macropterous (13) than by brachypterous females (19). However, there was no significant difference in the longevity of brachypterous (95.43 ± 41.21 days) and macropterous (93.40 ± 21.18 days) females. The relationship of these results to the reproductive arrest, inactivity of the endocrine gland, corpus allatum, and different levels of adipokinetic hormone in macropterous females is discussed.

水稻和玉米苗上饲养的稻纵卷叶螟对温度的反应

The rice leaf folder(RLF) Cnaphalocrocis medinalis(Guenee) is one of the most important insect pests which has caused large amounts of yield loss of rice in recent years.C.medinalis has many recorded host plants,but the fitness of C.medinalis on some main host plants,such as rice and maize,was unclear.Moreover,the biological response of C.medinalis reared on different host plants to high temperature was little known.In order to identify the temperature requirements of the rice leaf folder,the development,survival,fecundity and hatch rate of C.medinalis reared on rice and maize seedlings were measured under different temperatures(20—36℃) in this study. The results showed that the duration from birth of larvae to emergence of adults on rice was 24.9,20.1,and 19.4 days at 24,27,and 30℃,respectively,whereas on maize seedlings,it was 28.3,21,and 20.1 days,respectively.The developmental rate of C.medinalis reared on maize seedlings was 1—3 days slower than that on rice under 24℃ or 27℃,which mainly resulted from the lower developmental rate of the pupae stage.The average longevity of adults reared on maize seedlings at 24℃ and 27℃ was 10.4 days and 7.6 days,respectively,which was significant longer than that on rice.The development of larvae reared on rice was not inhibited at 33℃,and the larvae could grow into adults.However,the development of larvae on maize seedlings was significantly inhibited at 33℃,and none of the larvae developed into pupae. The survival of C.medinalis on rice was not significantly different between 27 and 33℃,whereas the mortality was very high when the temperature increased up to 36℃,and only a few larvae grew into prepupae.However,the survival of C.medinalis larvae on maize at 33℃ was lower than that at 21—30℃,and at 36℃ they failed to develop to the 2nd instar. Fecundity of C.medinalis was highest at 24℃ and 27℃: on rice,averages of 189 and 155 eggs per female,respectively,and on maize,196 and 170 eggs per female,respectively.C.medinalis could lay a few eggs at 30℃ and 33℃ when reared on rice,and the average number of eggs per female was 35.6±2.6 and 15.6±3.8,respectively.However,no eggs were laid when the larvae were reared on maize seedlings at 30℃ and 33℃.Hatch rate of eggs was highest at 27℃,up to 75%,and there was no significant difference at this temperature between the rice and maize seedlings.At 33℃ and 36℃,no eggs hatched on maize seedlings,but about 25% and 7% of eggs on rice could hatch,respectively.The results of the present study indicate that C.medinalis can be reared well on both rice and maize seedlings,and the capacity of C.medinalis reared on rice to tolerate high temperature stress is higher than that on maize seedlings.The biological features of C.medinalis reared on maize seedlings at 24 and 27℃ were not significantly different from those on rice with the exception of slower development.

Life table and predation of Neoseiulus longispinosus (Acari: Phytoseiidae) on Oligonychus coffeae (Acari: Tetranychidae) infesting tea

Life table and predation of the predatory mite Neoseiulus longispinosus (Evans) on the red spider mite (RSM), Oligonychus coffeae (Nietner), a major pest of tea in India, were studied in the laboratory. Developmental time from egg to adult varied from 4 to 14 days at 30 to 15 °C, respectively; at 35 °C no larva survived. Survival of immature stages was more than 94 % at all temperatures. Threshold temperature for development of immature stages of females and males was 10 and 9.9 °C, respectively, and thermal constant was 84.03 degree-days for females and 80 for males. Sex ratio was female biased and temperature (20-30 °C) had no clear effect on sex determination. Egg hatchability was 73 % at 35 °C and >97 % at lower temperatures. Average number of eggs laid per female/day was higher at 30 °C than at 20 or 25 °C. The highest net reproductive rate (R 0) was 40.7, at 20 °C. Mean generation time (T) decreased from 28 to 13 days with temperature increasing from 20 to 30 °C. Weekly multiplication (6.5) and intrinsic rate of natural increase (r m ) (0.268) were highest at 30 °C. Males lived longer than females at every temperature tested. Longevity was highest at 20 °C (50 days for females and 55 for males). Survival and longevity were adversely affected by temperature above 30 °C. Daily consumption of prey increased with the advancement of predator's life stages; adult females consumed the highest numbers of prey items, preferably larvae and nymphs.

Adoption of Improved Strain of Backyard Poultry

Backyard poultry plays a major role in alleviating malnutrition in developing countries like India. The present study was undertaken among 120 backyard poultry farmers in Karaikal region of Puducherry an aim to assess the extent of adoption of improved strain of backyard poultry in Karaikal region, a backward area in Puducherry Union Territory. Majority of the respondents were middle aged with primary school level of education belonging to small family group with 6-15 years of experience in backyard poultry rearing. Nearly one third of the respondents had 1-5 birds in their backyard. Majority of the farmers reared desi birds followed by Giriraja strain. The average number of eggs per clutch and the average number of clutches per year were 16 and 6 respectively. Majority of the respondents were aware of the improved strains of backyard poultry. Most of them had discontinued rearing improved strain of backyard poultry mainly due to susceptibility to diseases and attack by predators.

Performance of 4-way cross-bred Ethiopian and exotic chicken breeds in two management systems in Southern Ethiopia

Two indigenous chicken breeds: naked neck (N) and local white (W) feathered chicken called Netch as sire lines and two exotic chicken breeds: Fayoumi (F) and Rhode Island Red (R) as dam lines were crossed with the objective of producing 4-way cross-bred chicken population, which will later be used as base population to produce synthetic chickens. They were tested under on-station conditions in a college farm and under on-farm conditions at several typical village farms. Mortality during brooding period was lower under on-farm than on-station conditions, which may be owing to housing of the chicks in hay box-brooder on-farm and the coccidiosis infection on-station. However, higher on-farm mortality was observed during the laying period than on-station; mainly because of predation. There was a significant difference between the two systems in recorded body weight from early age to maturity. Age at first egg was lower on-farm than on-station. Average number of eggs produced was not significantly different; although chickens on-station laid more eggs than those on-farm. Hen-housed egg production was lower on-farm than on-station owing to higher mortality in the on-farm system.

Dispersal of Aedes aegypti: field study in temperate areas and statistical approach

AbstractWe studied the dispersion of Aedes aegypti during egg laying in natural conditions. Two independent experiments involving mosquitoes dispersing from urbanization towards adjacent un-urbanized areas were carried out and analyzed in statistical terms. We find relations between stochastic variables related to the egg laying mosquito activity (ELMA), useful to assess dispersion probabilities, despite the lack of knowledge of the total number of ovipositions in the zone. We propose to evaluate the activity as minus the logarithm of the fraction of negative ovitraps at different distances from buildings. We also estimate the average number of eggs laid per oviposition using a regression between the ELMA and the number of eggs found. Three zones with different oviposition activity were determined: a corridor surrounding the urbanized area, a second region between 10m and 25m and the third region extending from 30m to 45m from the urbanization. The landscape (plant cover) and the human activity in the area appear to have an influence in the dispersal of Aedes aegypti.

Biological Aspects of Scheloribates Jaevigatus (Acari: Oribatida) when Fed on Mixture of the Free-Living Nematod, Eudiplogaster phlagemcaudatus and Potato in the Laboratory

Scheloribates Jaevigatus (Koch) was able to develop and reproduce when fed on mixture of free-living nematod, Eudiplogaster phlagellicaudatus (Andrassy) and potato. Temperature had a significant effect on duration of the life cycle and all life span of this species. As temperature changed between 25 and 30°C, the incubation period decreased. Both male and female immature stages decreased when temperature increased between 25 and 30°C. Life cycle of male reached adulthood in a shorter period than that of female. This period decreased from 24.67 ± 0.26 to 21.25 ± 0.53 days for male and from 28.01 ± 0.66 to 23.16 ± 0.98 days for female at 25 and 30°C, respectively. Temperature also negatively affected the adult female longevity and fecundity. It was found that the greatest average number of eggs deposited by female was 36.88 ± 2.13 at 25°C; this decreased to 29.63 ± 2.55 at 30°C.

Egg Laying and Caterpillar Hatching Dynamics of Ostrinia Nubilalis Hbn. on Maize (Zea Mays L.) in South-Eastern Poland

Egg Laying and Caterpillar Hatching Dynamics ofOstrinia NubilalisHbn. on Maize (Zea MaysL.) in South-Eastern PolandDuring the study years, the European corn borer (ECB) (Ostrinia nubilalisHbn.) females began depositing eggs on maize plants between the last ten days of June and the first ten days of July. A maximum number of eggs on plants was found at the beginning of the second ten days of July and at the beginning of the third ten days of July. The last egg clusters were recorded in August. During the five years of the study period, the female oviposition period lasted from 4.5 to 8 weeks. The shortest oviposition period took place during the warm and dry years, while the longest period was during the rainy and relatively cold years. During the study years, within the entire flight period,O. nubilalisfemales deposited from 1,564 to 3,393 eggs on 200 observed plants. The average number of eggs per cluster in the study years was from 10.0 to 15.2. The beginning of caterpillar hatching, based on the observation of empty egg clusters, was recorded in the last ten days of June or in the first and second ten days of July. Mass hatching of the caterpillars was observed in the second and third ten days of July, and only in 2004 was it in the first ten days of August. The last empty egg clusters were recorded in the second and in the third ten days of August.

In vitro and in vivo efficacy of anthelmintic compounds against blood fluke (Cardicola forsteri)

Blood fluke, Cardicola forsteri, infects Southern Bluefin Tuna, particularly during ranching. Efficacy of four anthelmintics was tested against this parasite. There was an agreement between in vitro and in vivo results. Praziquantel was the only effective anthelmintic. It was the most potent anthelmintic in decreasing fluke responsiveness in vitro, with concentrations ranging between 1.5μg/mL and 200μg/mL stopping adult fluke response within less than 5min. In vivo, both the higher (150 mg/kg) and the lower (75 mg/kg) dose praziquantel treatment resulted in a significant reduction of the number of flukes present in the hearts. A significant effect of treatment on the mean number of blood fluke eggs per cm2 of tuna myocardium was observed, with fish treated with either of the two doses of praziquantel having at least 6 times lower numbers of eggs in their hearts. Control fish and fish treated with praziquantel (both doses) and lower dose Closal had very low average number of eggs per cm2 of gill and were significantly lower than in fish treated with fenbendazole. While this research shows that praziquantel is the treatment of choice against blood fluke, C. forsteri, further research is needed to determine optimum dose, best treatment application method, palatability and any potential side effects.

Effect of salinity on reproductive performance ofAcanthopagrus latus(Houttuyn) in spawning tanks

More than 250 male and female yellowfin seabream (Acanthopagrus latus) were caught in the creeks near the Mahshar area in the north-west of Persian Gulf using fishhooks to study the effects of salinity on reproductive indices. The experiments were carried out using three salinity treatments (30 ± 1 g L−1, 35 ± 1 g L−1 and 40 ± 1 g L−1) with three replications. A total of six males and three females were randomly introduced to each tank. The survival rate of the broodstock was estimated at more than 90% at different salinity levels and the maximum rate was observed at 30 g L−1 of the experiment rate. The percentage of buoyant eggs was more than 90% at 40 g L−1 and it was significantly different from other treatments. The average number of eggs per female (312 914 ± 65 085), and the average number of eggs per kilogram of female (649 460 ± 173 574) at 40 g L−1 were more than those in the other treatments but no significant differences were observed (P ≤ 0.05). The average percentage of fertilized eggs (86.7%) and the average percentage of hatched larvae (67%) at 40 g L−1 treatment was more than those at 30 g L−1 and 35 g L−1 treatments but no significant differences were observed (P ≤ 0.05). At 40 g L−1 salinity, in all spawning cases, the released eggs were hatched. Overall, the present study has shown that better buoyant eggs of A. latus can be obtained at salinity 40 g L−1. On the other hand, the percentage of fertilized eggs and hatched larvae were not affected by salinity.

Disruption of endocrine function in in vitro H295R cell-based and in in vivo assay in zebrafish by 2,4-dichlorophenol

Chlorophenols in the aquatic environment have been of concern due to their potential effects on human and wildlife. In the present study, the endocrine disrupting effects of 2,4-dichlorophenol (2,4-DCP) were investigated in vitro and in vivo. In the in vitro assay, H295R human adrenocortical carcinoma cells were used to determine the potential effects of 2,4-DCP on steroidogenesis. Exposure to 0, 0.1, 0.3 or 1.0 mg 2,4-DCP/L resulted in less production of 17β-estradiol (E2) and alterations in transcript expressions of genes involved in steroidogenesis, including cytochrome P450 ( CYP11A, CYP17, CYP19), 3βHSD, 17βHSD and StAR. In the in vivo study, effects of 0, 0.03, 0.1 or 0.3 mg 2,4-DCP/L on concentrations of steroid hormones in plasma of adult zebrafish ( Danio rerio) were measured and expression of mRNA of selected genes in hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis and liver were determined. Exposure of zebrafish to 2,4-DCP resulted in lesser concentrations of E2 accompanied by down-regulation of CYP19A mRNA in the females. In males, exposure to 2,4-DCP resulted in greater concentrations of testosterone (T) and E2 along with greater mRNA expression of CYP17 and CYP19A. The mRNA expression of prostaglandin synthase ( Ptgs2) gene, which regulates ovulation, was down-regulated in females, but up-regulated in males. The hepatic estrogenic receptor ( ERα and ERβ) and vitellogenin ( VTG1 and VTG3) mRNAs were up-regulated in both females and males. The average number of eggs spawned was significantly less upon exposure to 2,4-DCP. Exposure of adult zebrafish to 2,4-DCP resulted in lesser rates of hatching of eggs. The results demonstrated that 2,4-DCP modulates transcription of steroidogenetic genes in both H295R cells and in the zebrafish HPG-axis and disrupts steroidogenesis, which in turn, can cause adverse effects on reproduction in fish.

Egg laying and egg laying behavior of Red Palm Weevil, Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Olivier) 1790 (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)

Red Palm Weevil is a key pest of palm trees worldwide. Various studies have been conducted on life history and behavior of RPW, however some key points in egg laying period is still missing. The purpose of this study was to investigate the egg-laying timing as a number of egg /day /female, time interval between egg laying event and the female bio-etiological needs while ovipositing. The study was carried out through recording the behavior of adults with PC-driven video cameras equipped with natural bright and artificial IR light source. RPW was collected and allowed to lay eggs on Phoenix canariensis petiole. The number of eggs per day is variable according to time and female age; the average number of eggs per event is 4.13. Moreover egg laying timing and the time of deposition are quite variable while eggs can be laid anytime during the day and night. The average egg-laying time was 54.52 sec. The observations showed that the females need to fly, feed and mate before egg laying process.

Prevalence and risk factors for intestinal parasite infection in goats raised in Nakhon Pathom Province, Thailand

The objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence and risk factors for intestinal parasite infection in goats raised in Nakhon Pathom Province. Fecal samples from 190 goats in 12 herds were collected per rectum. Questionnaires focusing on the general information about the farm and farmers, and management practices on farms were completed. Modified McMaster counting technique was performed to detect eggs of intestinal parasites. Each egg found was classified into three groups of parasites based on its characteristics. Individual and herd prevalence were calculated. Multiple logistic regressions were performed to analyze risk factors of infection. Herd prevalence of intestinal parasite infection was 100%, while individual prevalence was 79.47%. Strongyle group was the most common intestinal parasite found in this study. Moniezia spp. (8/190) and Trichuris spp. (1/190) were also found. The average number of eggs found was 1,176 eggs per gram of feces. Risk factors for intestinal parasite infection were housing system, deworming interval, and type of goat in herd. Goats housed in groups had higher infection rates compared with goats housed individually (odds ratio (OR) = 6.34; P value = 0.009). Goats in herds in which anthelmintic drugs were administered in intervals of greater than 3 months were more likely to become infected with intestinal parasites (OR = 33.07; P value <0.001). Goats in herds that kept only dairy goats were less likely to become infected than herd that kept only meat goats or kept both dairy and meat goats (OR = 46.20 and 8.75; P value <0.001 and 0.011, respectively).

Egg Production of the Commercially Exploited Deepwater Shrimp, Heterocarpus vicarius (Decapoda: Pandalidae), Pacific Costa Rica

Abstract The pandalid Heterocarpus vicarius is a deepwater shrimp, commercially exploited along the Pacific coast of Costa Rica and neighboring countries. The constant decrease of commercial landings in recent years has provoked an increasing concern about the sustainability of this deepwater resource. To facilitate an adequate management of H. vicarius, we examined 240 ovigerous females collected between 2004 and 2007. Females ranged in size between 29.4 and 45.4 mm carapace length and carried on average 15,008 newly-extruded eggs. To our best knowledge, the maximum of 33,549 eggs for H. vicarius is the highest number so far reported for any pandalid species. During embryogenesis, the average number of eggs decreased by 46.9%, while the average egg volume increased by 53.3%. Average egg volumes were statistically different between early (Stage I: 0.045 mm3) and late (Stage III: 0.069 mm3) development. The egg mass volume comprised on average 17.8% of the dry weight of ovigerous females (Stage I). Althoug...

INFLUENCE OF DIFFERENT CONSTANT TEMPERATURE DEGREES AND HOST PLANTS ON CERTAIN BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF THE MELON LADYBIRD BEETLE Epilachna chrysomelina (F.) (COLEOPTERA: COCCINELLIDAE)

Laboratory experiments were carried out in the insectory of Economic Entomology Department,Faculty of Agriculture, MansouraUniversity, under three constant temperature 24±1, 28±1and 32±1oC and 60.0±5% R.H. The total duration of the immature stages were the shortest (28.3± 2.7 days) when the insect pest reared under constant temperature of 32±1oC followed by (37.4 ± 2.6 days) at 28 ±1oC and the longest period was recorded at 24± 1oC and represented by (41.9 ± 2.8 days) with highly significant differences. The highest percentages of hatchability, the survival of larval stage , pupal stage as well as the total immature stages were recorded when the insect reread at 28± 1oC and represented by 95.0 , 88.4 , 97,6 and 82% , respectively. On the other hand , the lowest percentages were 87.0 , 78.2 , 95.7 and 65% for hatching , the survival of larval stage, pupal stage and the total immature stages at 24± 1oC , respectively. The ovipositional periods ( pre – oviposition period , oviposition period and inter - oviposition period ) as well as the female and male longevity were the shortest when the melon ladybird beetle reared at 32±1oC followed by 28±1 oC and 24±1oC while , the fecundity ( average number of eggs / female ) were the highest at 28±1 oC and represented by 743.0 ± 25.8 eggs / female and the lowest fecundity at 24±1oC and represented by 570.7 ± 28.6 eggs / female with highly significant differences. The total duration of the immature stages were the shortest (37.4± 2.6 days) when the insect pest reared on snake cucumber followed by (39.0 ± 3.5 days) on squash, (39.5± 2.7 days) and watermelon and the longest periods were recorded on cucumber and represented by (40.9 ± 2.4 days) .Highly significant differences were recorded between the total duration of the immature stages reared at different host plants. The highest percentages of hatchability, the survival of larval stage , pupal stage as well as the total immature stages were recorded when the insect reread on snake cucumber and represented by 95.0 , 88.4 , 97,6 and 82% , respectively. On the other hand , the lowest percentage were 89.0 , 72.1 , 93.7 and 60% for hatching , the survival of larval stage , pupal stage and the total immature stages on cucumber , respectively. The ovipositional periods ( pre – oviposition period , oviposition period and inter - oviposition period ) as well as the female and male longevity were the shortest when the melon ladybird beetle reared on snake cucumber followed by squash ,watermelon, and cucumber .While, the fecundity Were the highest on snake cucumber and represented by 743.0 ± 25.8 eggs / female and the lowest fecundity on cucumber and represented by 275.5 ± 19.8 eggs / female with highly significant differences according to the different host plants.

Reproductive Parameters of Porcellium Collicola (Verhoeff, 1907) and Trachelipus Arcuatus (Buddelund, 1885) (Crustacea: Isopoda: Oniscidea) in South Romania

Porcellium collicola (Verhoeff, 1907) and Trachelipus arcuatus (Budde-Lund, 1885) (Crustacea: Isopoda: Oniscidea) are two terrestrial isopod species inhabiting the leaf litter of oak forests in South Romania. This paper presents the size of reproductive females, fecundity (the number of eggs for a female for a brood), fertility (the number of larvae or mancas per female) and the relationship between the number of eggs or mancas per brood pouch and the total body length of pregnant females. In Porcellium collicola populations' reproductive females had a total body length of 3.3 to 7.3 mm, average fecundity was 18.60±7.10 eggs per female and average number of mancas per female was 10.29±8.05. In Trachelipus arcuatus the total body length of reproductive females was between 9.80 - 16.60 mm and the average number of eggs per brood per female was 55.60±21.71. A direct correlation between the size of pregnant females and fecundity and fertility was established for Porcellium collicola.