Mating and oviposition rhythms of Aspongopus chinensis Dallas
Author of the article:GU Xin-Yao** WEI Chao FENG Yao GUO Jian-Jun***
Author's Workplace:Institute of Entomology, Guizhou University; The Provincial Key Laboratory for Agricultural Pest Management of Mountainous Region, Guiyang, 550025, China
Key Words:Aspongopus chinensis Dallas, mating time, oviposition time, multiple mating
Abstract:
[Objectives] To clarify the breeding characteristics and lay a foundation for the artificial cultivation of the Chinese traditional edible and medicinal insect, Aspongopus chinensis, Dallas, 1851. [Methods] The mating and oviposition rhythms of A. chinensis were observed under laboratory conditions, and the relationship between time of mating and mating duration analyzed. [Results] The results showed that mating frequency had 2 daily peaks, one from 0:00 to 2:00 and a second from 20:00 to 22:00, with generally no mating activity between 10:00 and 16:00. The duration of mating activity increased with the frequency of multiple mating by females until a maximum of 15 h. The average duration of mating activity was (8.92±1.97) to (15.36±2.85) h. Oviposition occurred between 15:00 and 20:00. Females took about 5-6 minutes to lay a single egg, which were cylindrical, and 1-2 h to complete an entire clutch. [Conclusion] Mating and oviposition behaviors of A. chinensis have obvious diurnal rhythms, and multiple mating by females significantly prolongs the duration of mating activity.