Research Institute for Subtropics
Fruit Fly Research in Japan

 

Reproductive maturity of the female West Indian sweet potato weevil, Euscepes postfasciatus (Fairmaire) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)

<Author> Tsuguo Kohama ; Yukio Shjmoji
<Year> 1998
<Journal> Appl. Entomol. Zool.
<Volume> 33
<Issue> 1
<Pages> 1-4
<Notes> English

Prefeeding period, ovarian development, relation of mating receptivity to age, and preoviposition period of the female Euscepes postfasciatus were determined under laboratory conditions of 25+-1 deg C, 70-85% RH and 14L-10D. The prefeeding period averaged 3.8+-0.9(mean+-SD) days and ranged between 3 and 7 days. Ninety percent of 12-day-old females had mature eggs. The mating receptivity of females was related to their age. Eighty seven to 100% of 9-to 15-day-old females accepted copulation attempts by males. The preoviposition period averaged 11.1+-1.2(mean+-SD) days and ranged between 9 and 13 days.


Research Institute for Subtropics