The eclosion and reproduction of Trabala vishnou gigantina Yang (Lepidoptera: Lasiocampidae

Author of the article:LIU YongHua1,2**YAN XiongFei2ZHANG YiQiao1QI LianZhen3 LU PengFei1ZONG ShiXiang1LUO YouQing1*

Author's Workplace：1. Key Laboratory for Silviculture and Conservation of Ministry of Education, Beijing Forestry University,

Key Words：Trabala vishnou gigantina, eclosion, courtship, mating, oviposition, life span

Abstract：Trabala vishnou gigantina Yang has become a serious leafeating pest of Hippophae rhamnoides in recent years. The eclosion, mating and oviposition of this species were studied through field surveys and laboratory observations. The emergence period was found to last for 40 days，with the peak of eclosion observed in early September. The daily emergence peak was from 17:00 to 23:00，with 82.46 percent of daily emergences occurring during this period. The ratio of females to males was 1∶1.41, and the mating peak took place from 3:00-4:00. The mating rate was highest on the second night (45.6%) and then decreased gradually. Females normally copulated only once in their life, whereas males copulated several times. For most adults, the duration of mating was 14-16 hours. Approximately 82.40%of eggs were laid at night. The lifespan of virgin females and unmated males were 11.05 days and 9.85 days on average，respectively, whereas that of nonvirgin females and males was 8.05 days and 7.35 days on average, respectively. This indicates that mating shortens the lifespan of both sexes.