Molecular phylogeny and species recognition in the mealybug genus Ferrisia Fullaway (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae)

Previous allozyme and DNA nucleotide sequence studies of the mealybug genus Ferrisia Fullaway (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae), although limited, have suggested greater species diversity than is recognized by the current morphology‐based taxonomy. Here we analyse nucleotide sequence data from one mitochondrial (cytochrome oxidase I) and two nuclear (EF‐1α and 28S D₂D₃) genes and recover ten well‐supported groups that allow us to reassess the taxonomic utility of morphological characters used for species recognition. We report on previously used morphological characters for which states are highly variable within genetic groups and identify new characters (of the wax‐exuding cuticular ducts and pores) with taxonomically informative states. The widespread pest species F. virgata (Cockerell), commonly called the striped mealybug, should be diagnosed more narrowly. From samples identified as F. virgata, we recover six clades that we equate with species and that can be distinguished with the newly identified morphological characters. We determine that five of the ‘electrophoretic species' identified informally by the late Uzi Nur based on electrophoretic mobility of 20 enzymes correlate with four of our genetic groups. This matching of Nur's putative species with ours was possible only because some of Nur's slide‐mounted voucher specimens were deposited in a museum and thus available for morphological study. Species confused with F. virgata are either new to science or were placed erroneously in synonymy with F. virgata by earlier authors: they will be described elsewhere. The most important characters of the adult female for distinguishing these species from F. virgata are the positions and characteristics of minute discoidal pore(s) associated both with the ventral oral‐collar tubular ducts and with the sclerotized area surrounding each dorsal enlarged tubular duct, and the number of sizes of the ventral oral‐collar tubular ducts. In addition, we determine that adult females of F. gilli Gullan from different populations on different host plants vary substantially in the number and size of clusters of small ventral oral‐collar ducts on the body margins – features previously suspected to indicate distinct species.     

A multiplex PCR assay for the simultaneous identification of three mealybug species (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae)

Molecular species identification is becoming more wide-spread in diagnostics and ecological studies, particularly with regard to insects for which morphological identification is difficult or time-consuming. In this study, we describe the development and application of a single-step multiplex PCR for the identification of three mealybug species (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) associated with grapevine in South Africa: Planococcus ficus (vine mealybug), Planococcus citri (citrus mealybug) and Pseudococcus longispinus (longtailed mealybug). Mealybugs are pests on many commercial crops, including grapevine, in which they transmit viral diseases. Morphological identification of mealybug species is usually time-consuming, requires a high level of taxonomic expertise and usually only adult females can be identified. The single-step multiplex PCR developed here, based on the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (CO I) gene, is rapid, reliable, sensitive, accurate and simple. The entire identification protocol (including DNA extraction, PCR and electrophoresis) can be completed in approximately four hours. Successful DNA extraction from laboratory and unparasitized field-collected individuals stored in absolute ethanol was 97%. Specimens from which DNA could be extracted were always correctly identified (100% accuracy). The technique developed is simple enough to be implemented in any molecular laboratory. The principles described here can be extended to any organism for which rapid, reliable identification is needed.     

扶桑绵粉蚧生物学特性研究

扶桑绵粉蚧Phenacoccus solenopsis Tinsley是近年在我国新发现的一种重要外来入侵害虫, 特别是对我国棉花生产具有潜在的巨大威胁,本文研究了实验室条件下（27±1℃, RH 70%±5%）该虫在棉花上的发育历期、 繁殖能力及各虫态的形态特征。结果表明：扶桑绵粉蚧雌虫生活史包括卵、1龄若虫、2龄若虫、3龄若虫和雌成虫;雄虫生活史包括卵、1龄若虫、 2龄若虫、预蛹、 蛹和雄成虫。卵期很短,雌虫若虫期15~20 d,总历期约为47~59 d;雄虫若虫和蛹期17~22 d,总历期约为20~26 d;雌虫寿命明显长于雄虫。该蚧虫繁殖能力强,雌成虫产卵量200~862粒/头,平均产卵458粒/头。各虫态主要形态特征为：卵呈长椭圆形,橙黄色, 略微透明; 1龄若虫,淡黄绿色,行动活泼;2龄若虫体缘突起显现, 尾瓣突出,至末期可根据体表黑斑的可见程度区分雌、 雄虫;3龄雌若虫, 体表有薄层蜡粉, 在前、中胸背面亚中区和腹部1~4节背面亚中区可见清晰斑点, 形成纵向黑色条斑, 外表形似雌成虫。雌成虫呈卵圆形,体表蜡粉厚实,胸、腹背面的黑色条斑在蜡粉覆盖下呈成对黑色斑点状,体缘蜡突明显,共18对,其中腹部末端2~3对较长; 雄虫蛹包裹于松软的白色丝茧中;雄成虫,虫体较小,黑褐色;触角细长,具一对发达透明前翅,后翅退化为平衡棒,腹部末端具2对白色长蜡丝。本文通过对扶桑绵粉蚧的基本生物学特性和各个龄期发育的形态特征的研究, 为该虫的进一步研究和科学防控提供了基本资料,具有重要的理论和实践意义。     

Enhanced production of pink pineapple mealybug,Dysmicoccus brevipes (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae)

A mass rearing program was developed for the pink pineapple mealybug (PPM), Dymsicoccus brevipes (Cockerell) (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae), to provide host material for producing the encyrtid parasitoid Anagyrus ananatis (Gahan). PPM individuals produce honeydew that accumulates on heavily infested squash and entraps crawlers and older instars. A new protocol was tested to reduce accumulated honeydew with minimal mortality to PPM. Butternut and kobocha squash were placed in rearing containers and covered with coarse vermiculite (>2.36?mm diameter) after being infested with PPM. Use of vermiculite removed the honeydew from the squash surface. PPM produced using vermiculite were easily harvested from the host squash, but mealybugs produced on squash without vermiculite were embedded within the honeydew. When individual kobocha squash fruit were inoculated with 300–400 mature PPM adults (>0.6?mm length), about 700 adult PPM (appropriate for A. ananatis production) were produced for each dollar value (USA) of squash fruit (i.e., ～1500?PPM per individual squash).     

Chirality and bioactivity of the sex pheromone of Madeira mealybug (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae)

Two compounds (trans-1R,3R-chrysanthemyl R-2-methylbutanoate and R-lavandulyl R-2-methylbutanoate) identified from aeration extracts of virgin female Madeira mealybug, Phenacoccus madeirensis Green (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae), were synthesized and tested in field bioassays in northern Taiwan over a 1-mo period. In total, 1,492 male P. madeirensis were captured in sticky traps. Our results showed that 1 microg of synthetic trans-1R,3R-chrysanthemyl R-2-methylbutanoate released from a plastic tube dispenser was attractive to the mealybugs. Different stereoisomers of chrysanthemyl 2-methylbutanoate also were tested. The insect-produced stereoisomer was the most attractive of all the isomers tested, and the stereochemistry of the acid moiety proved to be more critical than that of the alcohol moiety. The minor component found in extracts, R-lavandulyl R-2-methylbutanoate, alone was not attractive to male Madeira mealybugs nor did it act synergistically or additively with the main component.     

Comparison of sex pheromone traps for monitoring pink hibiscus mealybug (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae)

The pink hibiscus mealybug, Maconellicoccus hirsutus (Green) (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae), is a highly polyphagous pest that invaded Florida in 2002 and has recently been reported from several locations in Louisiana. Although identification of its sex pheromone in 2004 improved monitoring capabilities tremendously, the effectiveness and efficiency of different pheromone trap designs for capturing males has not been evaluated. We deployed green Delta, Pherocon IlB, Pherocon V, Jackson, and Storgard Thinline traps in Homestead, FL, and compared the number of male M. hirsutus captured per trap, the number captured per unit of trapping surface area, the amount of extraneous material captured, and the time taken to count trapped mealybugs. Pheromone-baited traps with larger trapping surfaces (green Delta, Pherocon IIB, and Pherocon V) captured more males per trap than those with smaller surfaces (Jackson and Storgard Thinline), and fewest males were captured by Storgard Thinline traps. However, Jackson traps captured as many or more males per square centimeter of trapping surface as those with larger surfaces, and the time required to count males in Jackson traps was significantly less than in green Delta, Pherocon IIB, and Pherocon V traps. Although all trap designs accumulated some debris and nontarget insects, it was rated as light to moderate for all designs. Based on our measures of effectiveness and efficiency, the Jackson trap is most suitable for monitoring M. hirsutus populations. Additionally, unlike the other traps evaluated, which must be replaced entirely or inspected in the field and then redeployed, only the sticky liners of Jackson traps require replacement, enhancing the efficiency of trap servicing.     

Insect-associated fungi from naturally mycosed vine mealybug Planococcus ficus (Signoret) (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae)

Vine mealybug, Planococcus ficus, is a major pest of grapevine, which is present in at least 39 countries. According to American Vineyard Foundation, P. ficus is in the top ranks among major insect-pests of grapevine. It is the ‘top priority concerns’ by grape growers and a ‘threat to the sustainability of wine industry’ demanding a ‘high priority research’. In Douro vineyards, it is considered as an occasional insect-pest; however, its importance is increasing in some localities. The present study investigates the occurrences of P. ficus-associated fungi. Vine mealybugs were observed in two of the four surveyed farms. Out of the 183 collected mealybugs, 58 were dead of which 25 had symptoms of mycosis and 13 were parasitised. Subculturing cadavers and subsequent pathogenicity test yielded 22 entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) including yeasts. The yeast Meyerozyma (=Pichia) guilliermondii, and the EPF Sarocladium kiliense and Purpureocillium lilacinum were the most abundant, i.e. representing 18.18% (N?=?4), 13.64% (N?=?3) and 13.64% (N?=?3) of the isolates, respectively. Considering biological affinities, fungal families Nectriaceae and Microascaceae had the most similar count-data profiles. To our knowledge, this work reports the first isolations of EPF from vine mealybug worldwide; and Pseudocosmospora rogersonii in Europe and as EPF worldwide. The mortality rate originated by mycoses on P. ficus was significantly higher than by its parasitoids, suggesting that fungi as P. ficus biocontrol agents are relatively more important than considered before. Overall, this report provides new insights into the development of mycoinsecticides and conservation biocontrol strategies for P. ficus pest management.     

Suitability of five mealybug species (Hemiptera,Pseudococcidae) as hosts for the solitary parasitoid Anagyrus sp. nr. pseudococci (Girault) (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae)

Anagyrus sp. nr. pseudococci is an endoparasitoid which has been used as a biological control agent of mealybug pests. In this study, we compared the suitability of five mealybugs species with different phylogenetic relationships and geographical origins as hosts of this parasitoid. The selected mealybugs were: (1) a Mediterranean-native species, Planococcus ficus, sharing a long co-evolutionary history with the parasitoid; (2) three exotic species, the Afrotropical Planococcus citri, the Australasian Pseudococcus calceolariae and the Neotropical Pseudococcus viburni, with a recent history; and (3) the Neotropical Phenacoccus peruvianus, with no previous common history with the parasitoid. Host suitability was assessed based on different fitness parameters, such as body size, developmental time, emergence rate and sex ratio. The parasitoid was able to complete development in all mealybug species. Nevertheless, its emergence rate significantly varied among mealybug species, with the highest values observed in Pl. ficus and Pl. citri, intermediate values in Ps. calceolariae and the lowest ones in Ps. viburni and Ph. peruvianus. The body size of adult wasp females varied with host suitability and was positively correlated with other measures of parasitoid fitness, including the emergence rate and the sex ratio. The parasitoid developmental time differed among mealybug species but did not correlate with any other measure of fitness. A female biased sex ratio was found in the parasitoid progeny emerged from all mealybug species, except in Ps. viburni and Ph. peruvianus. There was a direct relationship between the proportion of females in the parasitoid progeny and the emergence rate.     

Natural enemies of three mealybug species (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) found on citrus and effects of some insecticides on the mealybug parasitoid Coccidoxenoides peregrinus (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) in South Africa

The population density of mealybug species in some South African citrus orchards has increased to pest status in recent years. The characterization of the natural enemy complex and quantification of their contribution to the control of Planococcus citri (Risso), Pseudococcus longispinus (Targioni-Tozzetti) and Pseudococcus calceolariae (Maskell) on Citrus limon (L.) and Citrus reticulata (Blanco) was investigated through intensive sampling. Eight primary and four secondary parasitoids, and two predator species were identified from P. citri and P. calceolariae. Anagyrus pseudococci (Girault) and Coccidoxenoides peregrinus (Timberlake) were the most common species, accounting for 44% and 21% of the total. Of the five primary parasitoids reared from P. longispinus, A. pseudococci and Anagyrus sp. were predominant, comprising 41% and 30%. Nymphal and adult parasitism (range = 0-26% vs. 0-66%) and predation (range = 0-5.6% vs. 0-4.1%) varied significantly between host trees and mealybug species (P < 0.001). The numbers of nymphal instars and adult stages of P. calceolariae and P. longispinus and the nymphal stage of P. citri that were parasitized and killed by predators correlated significantly with the total number of hosts on which they acted (P < 0.01), suggesting a density-dependent association. Laboratory bioassay of nine contact insecticides (methidathion, methomyl, methyl-parathion, parathion, profenofos and prothiofos) against C. peregrinus indicated that all were highly toxic, causing 98-100% mortality in < 6 h of treatment. The IGRs fenoxycarb and triflumuron did not cause significant parasitoid mortality (P > 0.05). However, a mixture of pyriproxyfen and mineral oil caused a marginally significant mortality (P < 0.05).     

Life history of the mealybug, Maconellicoccus hirsutus (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae), at constant temperatures

Important life history parameters of the mealybug, Maconellicoccus hirsutus (Green), were characterized on hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis L.) cuttings at six constant temperatures between 15 and 35 degrees C. The development of M. hirsutus was the fastest at 27 degrees C, where the mealybugs completed development in approximately 29 d. The lower (T(min)) and upper (T(max)) developmental thresholds and the optimal developmental temperature (T(opt)) for the development of female mealybugs were estimated as 14.5, 35, and 29 degrees C, respectively. The thermal constant (K), which is the number of temperature-day or degree-day units required for development, of the females was 347 DD. The original distribution range prediction (based on T(min) = 17.5 degrees C and K = 300 DD) indicated that M. hirsutus could complete at least one generation in all of the continental United States. However, results of this study suggested that the distribution range of M. hirsutus may expand northward because of the lower T(min), and the predicted number of generations in a year may be lower because of the higher K required to complete each generation. The average cumulative survival rate of M. hirsutus at 25 and 27 degrees C was 72%, which was significantly higher than 51 and 62% at 20 and 30 degrees C, respectively. M. hirsutus reproduced sexually, with each mated female producing 260-300 eggs between 20 and 27 degrees C but only approximately 100 eggs at 30 degrees C. Female longevity was reduced from 28 d at 20 degrees C to 19-21 d at 25-30 degrees C. At 27 degrees C, the net reproductive rate (R(o)) was estimated at 165 female symbol/female symbol, the intrinsic rate of population increase (r(m)) was 0.119 (female symbol/female symbol/d), the generation time (T(G)) was 43 d, and the doubling time (DT) was 5.8 d. The life table statistics suggested that the currently released biological control agents, which have higher r(m) than M. hirsutus, will be able to complete more generations than the mealybug within the tested temperature range; thus, they are effective against M. hirsutus.     

Pheromone-baited traps for assessment of seasonal activity and population densities of mealybug species (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) in nurseries producing ornamental plants

Operational parameters of traps baited with the pheromones of three mealybug species were optimized in nurseries producing ornamental plants. All pheromone doses (1-320 microg) attracted Pseudococcus longispinus (Targioni Tozzetti) and Pseudococcus viburni (Signoret) males, with the lowest dose (1 microg) attracting the fewest males for both species. Doses of 3.2-100 microg were as attractive to male P. longispinus as the highest dose (320 microg); doses from 10 to 320 microg were equally attractive for P. viburni males. Lures containing 25-microg doses of either pheromone had effective field lifetimes of at least 12 wk. Experiments were performed to test the efficacy of combining multiple pheromones to attract several species of mealybugs simultaneously. Lures loaded with a mixture of the pheromones of P. longispinus, P. viburni, and Planococcus citri (Risso) were as attractive to P. viburni and P. citri as lures with their individual pheromones. Response of P. longispinus to the blend was decreased by 38% compared with its pheromone as a single component. A subsequent trial with two-component blends showed that the pheromone ofP. citri was responsible for this modest decrease in P. longispinus response. This should not affect the overall efficacy of using these lures for monitoring the presence of all three mealybug species simultaneously. Pheromone traps were used to detect infestations of P. longispinus throughout the season and to track population cycles. When pheromone-baited traps for P. longispinus were compared with manual sampling, trap counts of male mealybugs were significantly correlated with mealybugs counted on plants in the vicinity of the traps.     

发生在云南与东盟边境的一种新害虫——热带拂粉蚧(同翅目:粉蚧科)

【背景】热带拂粉蚧属于粉蚧类昆虫,食性杂,是危害热带和亚热带水果、蔬菜和园林植物的重要害虫,主要随水果、苗木和交通工具等介质进行远距离传播。2014年5月,在我国云南与缅甸边境发现该虫危害草本植物马松子。【方法】在收集整理热带拂粉蚧生物学、地理学等信息的基础上,介绍了其主要形态特征、寄主、分布、生物学特性,并对该有害生物的危害和防治进行了综合分析。【结果】热带拂粉蚧雌成虫长椭圆形,触角8节,体长2.5~3.0 mm,宽1.5~2.0 mm,主要通过孤雌生殖繁殖后代,形态特征与双条拂粉蚧非常相似。我国的广东、广西、海南、云南、福建等热带地区适合该虫生存和危害,一旦入侵我国会对花卉、水果和蔬菜等造成危害,给相关产业带来损失。【结论与意义】热带拂粉蚧在我国有传播扩散的可能,加强检疫是防范该虫入侵的主要手段,生物防治是治理该虫的重要措施。     

Predation of the apefly,Spalgis epius (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae) on citrus mealybug,Planococcus citri (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae)

The citrus mealybug, Planococcus citri (Risso) (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) is a serious pest of economically important crops worldwide. The apefly, Spalgis epius (Westwood) (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae) is a potential predator of various species of mealybugs. Earlier investigation on its daily preying capacity and preference for prey stages on P. citri is incomplete. Hence, a study was conducted to find out the daily prey consumption ability and preference for prey stages by different larval instars of S. epius reared on P. citri in the laboratory. Through the 8-day developmental period with four larval instars, the daily prey consumption of S. epius increased from the first to the seventh day and decreased on the eighth day prior to the prepupal stage. Generally, there was a significant difference in the prey consumption on different days. When the prey stages were offered separately, the first to fourth instar larva of S. epius consumed, respectively, a mean of 199.6, 722.6, 1908.8, and 4625.6 eggs or 21.5, 77.0, 168.5, and 670.5 nymphs or 3.2, 7.2, 16.0, and 35.1 adults of P. citri. When an S. epius larva was fed on P. citri eggs, nymphs and adults separately, it consumed a mean of 7456.7 eggs, 937.6 nymphs, or 62.3 adults during its entire development. When the prey stages were offered all together, a single S. epius larva consumed 2618.4 eggs, 170.4 nymphs, and 39.7 adults of P. citri throughout its entire development. The study revealed that S. epius is a voracious predator of P. citri and thus could be utilized as a major biological control agent.     

Reproductive performance of striped mealybug Ferrisia virgata Cockerell (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) on water-stressed cotton plants subjected to nitrogen fertilization

Sap-sucking sessile insects depend on their selected host plant for their development; hence, they are influenced by the nutritional quality of the plant, especially the available nitrogen (N) and water content in the plants. The levels of N in the plant sap can vary as function of the N fertilization applied to enhance crop yield, while deficit of water takes place during drought periods. The performance of the striped mealybug on cotton plants subjected to N fertilization and water stress (=deficit of water) was evaluated. Potted cotton plants grown in a greenhouse were subjected to N fertilization and two irrigation regimes considering regular irrigation and water stress. Cotton plants were infested with 150 newly hatched nymphs. The survival was measured as the percentage of mealybugs alive 25 days after infestation. The biological traits of duration of development + the pre-reproductive period, and the number and sex ratio of the offspring were determined. The survival of nymphs was similar across all treatments and averaged 38 %. Likewise, the developmental times were similar across treatments averaging 47 days, with 84 % of female offspring. However, offspring production was nearly twofold higher for water-stressed plants with successive N fertilizations. Offspring production was increased by 37 % as a function of water stress, and by 18 % as a function of N fertilization. Therefore, we conclude that the striped mealybug performance is enhanced on cotton plants under N fertilization and water stress. Based on the results, proper fertilization and irrigation management relieving plant from stress can be helpful in avoiding generalized infestations of striped mealybug on cotton.     

班氏跳小蜂对寄主龄期选择的研究

班氏跳小蜂Aenasiusbam bawalei Hayat是扶桑绵粉蚧Phenacoccus solenopsis Tinsley的优势种寄生蜂。本文研究了在限制选择和自由选择的条件下,扶桑绵粉蚧的2龄若虫、3龄若虫和雌成虫对该蜂的寄生率、发育历期、子代性比和个体大小的影响。结果表明:在两种选择条件下,班氏跳小蜂对扶桑绵粉蚧3龄若虫的寄生率显著高于对雌成虫和2龄若虫的寄生率,但寄生粉蚧雌成虫的子代雌雄性比显著高于寄生3龄若虫或2龄若虫的性比;在两种选择条件下,雌蜂在寄主三种虫龄(态)上的发育历期差异不显著,但是雄蜂在粉蚧雌成虫中的发育历期显著长于寄生2龄若虫或3龄若虫的发育历期;在两种选择条件下,寄生于粉蚧雌成虫的子代雌蜂和雄蜂的个体都是最大,其后足胫节长度显著长于寄生于2龄若虫或3龄若虫的子代胫节的长度。     

Hybridization and sex pheromone responses in two closely related mealybug species (Homoptera: Pseudococcidae)

Abstract. Reciprocal crosses were made between the closely related species Planococcus citri and Planococcus ficus by using mating inducers. The pheromone responses of the hybrid offspring were bioassayed. The sex ratio of the offspring showed a striking shift in favour of females in comparison with homospecific matings mainly because of high mortality of male nymphs during the first instar. Hybrid males gave positive reactions only to pheromone extracts from the maternal species and showed no response to extracts from the paternal species. This result may be explained by the lecanoid chromosome system known for mealybug males, in which the paternal set of chromosomes becomes heterochro-matic (condensed and genetically inactive) starting from early embryogeny. Further evidence is, however, presented that (at least in certain tissues) the paternal set reverts to the euchromatic state and to genetical activity.     

小麦－玉米蚜－龟纹瓢虫载体植物系统的构建初探

载体植物系统（Banker plant system, BPS）通过建立自然天敌的自我维持机制以持续控制田间及保护地害虫。本研究分别以玉米蚜Rhopalosiphum maidis (Fitch)和小麦Triticum aestivum L.作为替代猎物和载体植物,构建龟纹瓢虫Propylaea japonica (Thunberg)载体植物系统防控桃蚜Myzus persicae (Sulzer),通过正交试验设计优化该载体植物系统中各因子的组合,并对该系统繁殖的龟纹瓢虫对玉米蚜和目标害虫桃蚜的取食选择性进行研究。结果显示,龟纹瓢虫成虫获得量最大的组合是小麦播种后第四天接蚜720头,待蚜虫扩繁5天后,投入龟纹瓢虫初孵幼虫30头。取食选择性试验结果表明小麦载体植物扩繁的龟纹瓢虫对靶标害虫桃蚜具有良好的捕食作用。     

外来入侵害虫棉花粉蚧雄虫生殖能力研究

采用单头雄虫与不同数量雌虫配比的方法研究了棉花粉蚧雄虫的生殖能力。结果表明,与1～7头雌虫配比,雄虫的交配成功率分别为94.4%、91.2%、85.4%、80.7%、77.7%、69.5%、66.2%;产仔雌虫数量与雌雄性比关系符合逻辑斯蒂曲线方程Ff=5.2159EXP(-2.5304EXP (-0.421739N)),1头雄虫平均可以满足4～5 头雌虫生殖需要,最多为5.22头;与单头雄虫交配后雌虫总产仔量由358.8头增大至1274.2头,其数量与雌雄性比关系符合S型增长曲线F?t=1524.589e-1.3922/N,总产仔量最大可达1525头;单雌产仔量先由358.8头上升至427.6头,其后逐渐下降至266.5头;子代性比(♀:♂)变化无规律,为1.13～1.86;子代中雌虫数量由206.1头增大到727.4头,其数量与雌雄性比关系可由F?of=840.1124e-1.2599/N描述,最大值是840头。