Hostname: page-component-84b7d79bbc-c654p Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-07-27T19:25:39.727Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

FECUNDITY AND COLONY SIZE IN NATURAL POPULATIONS OF HYPHANTRIA CUNEA

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  31 May 2012

R. F. Morris
Affiliation:
Maritimes Forest Research Centre, Canadian Forestry Service, Fredericton, New Brunswick

Abstract

Fecundity and colony size of Hyphantria cunea Drury were measured in six census areas for 13 years, and wing length was measured in one area. Colony size in the fifth instar was closely correlated with fecundity, and the percentage mortality from the egg stage to the fifth instar was an inverse function of fecundity. Wing length was not a sensitive index of fecundity where there was insufficient competition for food to cause severe reduction in moth size.Seasonal differences in fecundity and colony size within years, as well as differences between areas and between years, followed patterns expected from laboratory studies. Decreases during each season, proximately attributable to the age of foliage available to the larvae and ultimately attributable to genetic differences in the heat requirements for diapause termination, made it difficult to estimate mean fecundity for any area or year. Fecundity seemed slightly higher in coastal than in inland areas. Both population quality and weather appeared to influence annual differences, but because of the complex interaction between them and the high variability in fecundity and colony size, the relationships could not be modeled effectively with the available data.Differences in fecundity and colony size associated with both time and place were negligible in comparison to the changes in the population density of colonies, as measured in the same areas over the same period of years. It is concluded that priority should be given to survival rather than fecundity in the development of population models for H. cunea, at least in areas where competition for food is not severe.

Type
Articles
Copyright
Copyright © Entomological Society of Canada 1972

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Itô, Y., Shibazaki, A., and Iwahashi, O.. 1969. Biology of Hyphantria cunea Drury (Lepidoptera: Arctiidae) in Japan. IX. Population dynamics. Res. Popul. Ecol. 11: 211228.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Morris, R. F. 1963. The effect of predator age and prey defense on the functional response of Podisus maculiventris Say to the density of Hyphantria cunea Drury. Can. Ent. 95: 10091020.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Morris, R. F. 1967. Influence of parental food quality on the survival of Hyphantria cunea. Can. Ent. 99: 2433.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Morris, R. F. 1971 a. Observed and simulated changes in genetic quality in natural populations of Hyphantria cunea. Can. Ent. 103: 893906.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Morris, R. F. 1971 b. The influence of land use and vegetation on the population density of Hyphantria cunea. Can. Ent. 103: 15251536.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Morris, R. F. and Bennett, C. W.. 1967. Seasonal population trends and extensive census methods for Hyphantria cunea. Can. Ent. 99: 917.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Morris, R. F. and Fulton, W. C.. 1970 a. Models for the development and survival of Hyphantria cunea in relation to temperature and humidity. Mem. ent. Soc. Can., No. 70.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Morris, R. F. and Fulton, W. C.. 1970 b. Heritability of diapause intensity in Hyphantria cunea and correlated fitness responses. Can. Ent. 102: 927938.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Watanabe, N. and Umeya, K.. 1968. Biology of Hyphantria cunea Drury (Lepidoptera: Arctiidae) in Japan. IV. Effects of group size on survival and growth of larvae. Res. Bull. Pl. Prot. Serv. Jap., No. 6.Google Scholar