Egg parasitism of some leaf-rolling weevils in relation to the number of eggs laid in a leaf roll : with special reference to parasitism by Poropoea morimotoi Hirose (Hymenoptera : Trichogrammatidae)

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  • Hirose,Yoshimi
    Entomological Laboratory, Faculty of Agriculture, Kyushu University

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Other Title
  • オトシブミ類における 1 揺籃内の卵数と卵寄生蜂 : 特にオトシブミタマゴバチ Poropoea morimotoi Hirose の寄生との関係

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Description

Poropoea morimotoi Hirose attacks the eggs of various species of Japanese Attelabinae. The host weevils usually lay their eggs singly within each leaf roll. In some host species, e. g., Paracentrocorynus nigricollis and Cycnotrachelus nitens, however, a leaf roll often contains two or more eggs. In such a leaf roll cannibalism commonly occurs among the newly hatched larvae, and this habit results in the survival of only one larva. For this reason, if at least one egg escapes parasitization by P. morimotoi, then, such egg parasitism does not ultimately affect the survival of a single host larva in the leaf roll. Field observations revealed that the parasite female continues to insert repeatedly her ovipositor into a leaf roll for a fairly long time. Another observation also indicated that two or more parasite females can oviposit simultaneously on the same leaf roll without any interference among them. In spite of such a thorough search for host eggs on the part of the parasites, egg parasitism of Paracentro-corynus nigricollis by P. morimotoi permitted the survival of at least one host larva in 44-75% of leaf rolles containing two or more host eggs each. It may be concluded, therefore, that some protection against the attack by egg parasites is afforded by the habit of the host weevils of laying two or more eggs within a leaf roll. This habit might have an adaptive significance for the survival of weevils, because these kinds of leaf-rolling weevils are generally characterized by the frequently high mortality due to their egg parasites and by the low fecundity in close connection with the maternal care.

Journal

  • 昆蟲

    昆蟲 36 (4), 377-388, 1968-11-30

    東京昆蟲學會

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