Reproductive behavior of Malacosoma neustria testacea Motschulsky and the relative effectiveness of different attractants in the field
Author of the article:WU Yu-Jie1** LIU Zhi-Xiong1 ZHANG Jin-Tong1*** CHEN Xu-Peng1HAO Ai-Zhong2 LI Jian-Bing3
Author's Workplace：1. Institute of Chemical Ecology, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu 030801, China; 2. Forest Pest Control and Quarantine Station of Taiyuan Shanxi, Taiyuan 030012, China; 3. Forest Pest Control and Quarantine Station of Yanggao Datong Shanxi, Datong 038100, China
Key Words：Malacosoma neustria testacea, eclosion, sexual behavior, sexual attractant
Abstract： [Objectives] To study the reproductive behavior of this pest in order to develop effective and environmentally friendly prevention and control methods for it. [Methods] The reproductive behavior of Malacosoma neustria testacea Motschulsky were studied under laboratory conditions, and in the field, in 2013 and 2014. [Results] The emergence period was about 40 days in duration and the peak time of eclosion occurred between June 19th and July 3rd. Peak daily emergence occurred between 17: 00 to 19: 00. The mean sex ratio of females to males was 1︰(1.19±0.07). The average lifespan of virgin females was (4.13±0.142) days, which was shorter than that of unmated males (4.57±0.035)d. Calling behavior occurred between 00:00 and 03:00 and the mating peak at 02:30. The highest mating rate was observed in 1-day-old adults (61.67%±2.89%) and decreased gradually with female age. The duration of mating varied from 20 min to 135 min. In field experiments, no adults were trapped using unmated male moths or a blank control as attractants, whereas males were attracted by virgin females of different ages. More males were trapped between 02:00 and 03:00, and 1 d old females attracted more males than females of other ages. The highest number of male moths was captured at 01:30, using crude extract of virgin female glands as the attractant. The crude gland extract of 1-day-old virgin females had the highest attractiveness to adult males but that from females of other ages also had some attractiveness. [Conclusion] The results of this study lay a foundation for the application of insect sex pheromones to the prevention and control of M. neustria testacea..