Ecologia química e reprodução de Neoleucinodes elegantalis Guenée (Lepidoptera : Crambidae)

Abstract

he reproduction in insects is affected by a wide array of factors that acts directly on the reproductive output, related with offspring quality and quantity: the interaction, by physical, chemical and visual cues, between insects and host plants; the larval growth rate affecting adult size and mating rate, as a mechanism of reproductive sucess. Thus, studies on insect reproduction are recommended to help estimate and to understand population dynamics, for both endangered species and to control crop pests. The tomato fruit borer Neoleucinodes elegantalis Guenée (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) is one of the most important pest species on Solanaceae in Brazil, and the aims of this works is to study this species regarding to: (i) the role of physical, chemical and visual cues on oviposition; (ii) the causes of sexual dimorphism and (iii) how male mating history affects his ability to obtain new matings. This work also propose an equation that can help to estimate the initial size of fragmented spermatophores found inside the reproductive tracts of females, based on measures of the fragments. The results showed: (i) that physical and chemical cues increase significantly the oviposition of N. elegantalis, as well showed that light intensityalso affect oviposition; (ii) that differences in dayly growth rate is the cause of the observedsexual dimorphism in this species, and (iii) that recently mated males are equally able to achieve new matings as virgin ones, within at least 24-h period.