Photoperiodic control of diapause termination, colour change and postdiapause reproduction in the southern green stink bug, Nezara viridula

Abstract.  The effects of day length on adult diapause development, associated with diapause body colour change as well as postdiapause reproduction are studied in Nezara viridula from Japan. Facultative diapause spontaneously terminates under three constant short-day and near-critical photoperiods at 25 °C without low temperature treatment. The period required for body colour change from russet to green and the precopulation and preoviposition periods differ significantly between the photoperiodic treatments, being shortest under LD 13 : 11 h, intermediate under LD 12 : 12 h and longest under LD 10 : 14 h. Photoperiodic conditions do not affect postdiapause reproductive performance: the total egg production, duration of the period of oviposition and other reproductive indices do not differ significantly between the photoperiodic conditions. The total egg production depends on the duration of the period of oviposition but not on how long females remained russet during diapause. It is concluded that diapause in N. viridula does not require low temperature for its successful completion and diapause duration affects winter survival but not postdiapause reproductive performance or longevity. Such independence of the postdiapause reproductive performance from the duration of diapause may have contributed to the continuous worldwide range expansion of this species into temperate zone.     

Surviving winter: diapause syndrome in the southern green stink bug Nezara viridula in the laboratory,in the field,and under climate change conditions

The southern green stink bug Nezara viridula (L.) (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae) has long attracted attention not only as a serious pest of numerous agricultural crops, but also as a species expanding its range in many parts of the world. Nezara viridula has also been widely used as a model in different experimental studies. The present review focuses on reproductive (i.e. adult) winter diapause, which is the pivotal element of the species' seasonal cycle. Results from numerous field experiments and observations, as well as laboratory ecophysiological investigations conducted during the few last decades, are analyzed and interpreted. Experimental findings are used to describe in detail the dynamics of physiological changes during overwintering. Reproductive diapause in N. viridula is controlled in both sexes by photoperiodic conditions. The induction of diapause is associated with a reversible change of body colour from green or yellow to russet (or brown). The proper timing of adult emergence and the induction of diapause, as well as the size of adults, is vitally important for successful overwintering. Nezara viridula has been shown to respond strongly to the current trend in climate change by shifting the limit of its northern range, particularly in central Japan. Analysis of historic climate data suggests that the environmental conditions during the last few decades have become more favourable for the overwintering survival of N. viridula in many locations in central Japan. This has likely promoted the northward spread of the species. The relationships between reproductive diapause, reversible body colour change, overwintering success and the recent range expansion are analyzed. Perspectives of the range dynamics of the species are discussed in light of further predicted climate change.     

Phylogeographic relationships of the southern green stink bug Nezara viridula (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae)

Abstract The sequences of 16S rDNA, cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) and cytochrome b (Cyt b) genes from nine field collections (seven provinces in China: Guangxi, Hubei, Guangdong, Guizhou, Zhejiang, Hunan, Jiangxi, and also southern and northern part of Iran), plus the sequences of Africa, Europe, Americas and Japan obtained form GenBank were used to re-analyse the genetic variation in the southern green stink bug Nezara viridula (Linnaeus). The phylogeographic re-analysis by using four algorithms (NJ, MP, ML and Bayesian) showed three main lineages. The Iranian haplotypes fell into lineage II formed from Europe and America, rather than in lineage III from Asia; the Chinese haplotypes fell into the Asian clade. Our results suggested that African and non-African gene pools have been isolated since the Miocene era with the molecular clock calibrations for Heteroptera mtDNA, and not since the Pliocene as mentioned previously. The corresponding age of the separation of the eastern and western Asia clades is estimated to be 4.0–1.6 million years ago, coinciding with the Pliocene–Pleistocene epoch and with acute rising events in the Tibet Plateau locates in the western China, which may have formed the barriers observed today.     

雄性稻绿蝽对雌性鸣唱反应的物种特异性

雌性稻绿蝽的鸣唱开始了在基质中产生的通讯并引起雄性不同的特定反应。在两种自然情况下 ,我们检验了雄性稻绿蝽对N viridula ,Thyantapallidovirens和Thyantacustatoraccerra个体鸣唱刺激反应的物种特异性水平 ,并对反应强度和同种及异种刺激性鸣唱的时间特性进行了相关分析 ,证明雄性求偶鸣唱的发送和震动源的定位是最具物种特异性的反应。然而 ,即便是在这个水平上 ,雄性稻绿蝽不能将同种雌性个体的鸣唱与T .custatoraccera的第二个雄性个体的鸣唱区分开来 ,后者与前者有相似的脉冲持续时间和重复时间值。本文也讨论了涉及交配行为鸣唱期的有关信号的物种特定性的概念     

The effect of vibratory disturbance on sexual behaviour of the southern green stink bug Nezara viridula (Heteroptera, Pentatomidae)

The effect of vibratory disturbance on sexual behaviour and substrate-borne sound communication of the southern green stink bug, Nezara viridula L. was studied. Disturbance signals do not change the time N. viridula males need to locate the source of vibratory signals, but decrease the number of males responding with the calling and courtship song to calling females. Female N. viridula proceed calling during stimulation with disturbance signals but some of them change the song rhythm by skipping one or more signal intervals or emitting the repelling signals. The number of females which change the dominant frequency of the calling song decreases proportionally with increasing differences between the dominant frequency of the disturbance signals and the emitted female calling song. Variation of the song dominant frequency probably serves females to avoid interference by increasing the signal to noise ratio. Signal duration and repetition rate do not change significantly when the female is stimulated with the disturbance signals. This indicates that frequency shift by calling females is the main strategy for reducing interference by competitive signalers in N. viridula vibrational communication.     

Dissecting insect responses to climate warming: overwintering and post‐diapause performance in the southern green stink bug,Nezara viridula,under simulated climate‐change conditions

The effect of simulated climate change on overwintering and post‐diapause reproductive performance is studied in Nezara viridula (L.) (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae) close to the species' northern range limit in Japan. Insects are reared from October to June under quasi‐natural (i.e. ambient outdoor) conditions and in a transparent incubator, in which climate warming is simulated by adding 2.5°C to the ambient temperatures. Despite the earlier assumption that females of N. viridula overwinter in diapause, whereas males do so in quiescence, regular dissections show that the two sexes overwinter in a state of true diapause. During winter, both sexes are dark‐coloured and have undeveloped reproductive organs. Resumption of development does not start until late March. During winter, the effect of simulated warming on the dynamics and timing of physiological processes appears to be limited. However, the warming significantly enhances winter survival (from 27–31% to 47–70%), which is a key factor in range expansion of N. viridula. In spring, the effect of simulated warming is complex. It advances the post‐diapause colour change and transition from dormancy to reproduction. The earlier resumption of development is more pronounced in females: in April, significantly more females are already in a reproductive state under the simulated warming than under quasi‐natural conditions. In males, the tendency is similar, although the difference is not significant. Warming significantly enhances spring survival and percentage of copulating adults, although not the percentage of ovipositing females and fecundity. The results suggest that, under the expected climate‐warming conditions, N. viridula will likely benefit mostly as a result of increased winter and spring survival and advanced post‐diapause reproduction. Further warming is likely to allow more adults to survive the critical cold season and contribute (both numerically and by increasing heterogeneity) to the post‐overwintering population growth, thus promoting the establishment of this species in newly‐colonized areas.     

Gripping ease in southern green stink bugs Nezara viridula L. (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae): Coping with geometry,orientation and surface wettability of substrate

The southern green stink bug Nezara viridula L. (Heteroptera, Pentatomidae) is highly polyphagous, preferring apically situated seeds and fruits on more than 150 plant species belonging to over 30 plant families all over the world. This forces them to move over highly variable terrains, including plant stems, leaves, pods and buds, which requires efficient attachment. Stink bugs have long slender legs and feet (tarsi) equipped with paired curved claws, paired soft adhesive pads (pulvilli), and flattened lanceolate hairs (setae), which arise ventrally on the first and second foot segments (tarsomeres). To characterize their attachment abilities on well‐defined test substrates, here we comparatively measured and analyzed the traction forces of bugs walking horizontally and vertically on hydrophilic (water attractive) and hydrophobic (water repellent) glass plates and rods. The latter correspond to the geometry of preferred feeding sites of stink bugs in the field. The results show a clear contribution of tarsal flattened lanceolate hairs to the stink bug's attachment. Higher traction forces are generated on a glass rod than on a glass plate, corresponding to up to individual maximum of 43 times the stink bug's body weight. Substrate hydrophobicity promotes the attachment, while the measured forces are up to eight times lower when tarsal hairs are disabled. The combination of smooth and hairy tarsal pads results in a remarkable attachment ability, which enables N. viridula to climb unstable apical plant parts, and supports their invasive behavior and global dispersion.     

Natural control of populations of the southern green stink bug,Nezara viridula

Based on the results of five-year study on the Nezara population, it was concluded that the level of abundance of the insect was determined partly by the combination and relative adundance of the host plants and partly by the climatic factors. The endless increase of the population was checked by the deleterious effects associated with the overpopulation which occurred locally. The degree of such overpopulation was determined by the relative abundance of host plants to the current level of the population. Therefore, even when the general level of Nezara population seemed to be low, there still exists the possibility of overpopulation in some areas. Winter was the critical period which threatened the persistence of Nezara population. The survival of the hibernating adults was partly dependent on the physiological state of adults which was determined in the period of pre-hibernation. But when the severity of a winter exceeded the tolerance limit of the insect, the only safety-valve which prevented the elimination of Nezara was the heterogeneity of hibernacula. Therefore,Milne's theory (1957) was closest to the known facts.     

Crop-specific mortality of southern green stink bug eggs in Bt- and non-Bt cotton,soybean and peanut

Increasing insecticide use against stink bugs erodes benefits accrued to cotton production in the southeastern USA by eradication of the boll weevil and widespread use of Bt-transgenic cotton. Biological control programs designed to mitigate the impact of these pests would be beneficial; therefore, we sought to identify and assess naturally occurring biological control agents of stink bug eggs in cotton, peanut and soybeans, three important crops and stink bug hosts in the region. Two studies were conducted utilising digital imaging of sentinel egg masses to capture enemies present and sequential imaging over time to characterise the type and amount of damage inflicted on the egg masses. The first study utilised plots of soybean, Bt cotton, non-Bt cotton and peanut. The second study focused on ant predation in cotton by excluding fire ants from half of the plots. Sentinel egg masses of the southern green stink bug were placed in all plots at weekly intervals and were photographed at placement and at intervals over 72 h. Surviving egg masses were collected and held in the laboratory to assess parasitism in the first study. Predation of eggs was high in peanut (74–86%) and soybean (39–65%), and lower in Bt (26–34%) and non-Bt (4–21%) cotton over the two years. Parasitism was low overall (0.17–19.0%). Most egg predation in cotton and peanut was attributable to fire ants, whereas long-horned grasshoppers dominated in soybean. Exclusion of fire ants in cotton significantly reduced egg mortality, indicating their predominance as mortality agents in cotton.     

Timing of diapause induction and its life‐history consequences in Nezara viridula: is it costly to expand the distribution range?

Abstract. 1. From the early 1960s to 2000 Nezara viridula (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae) expanded its range northwards in Japan and reached Osaka following climate warming recorded in the region. 2. The timing of diapause induction and its effect on life‐history traits were studied under quasi‐natural conditions in Osaka. Egg masses were placed outdoors in six series in July–November 1999. Developmental events were monitored until September 2000. 3. Adult diapause was induced in September–October in agreement with the photoperiodic response obtained under laboratory conditions. Induction of diapause in early October ensured the highest winter survival. Nymphs that hatched after late September died by December–April showing that the species cannot survive winter in the nymphal stage. 4. Life‐history traits varied between the early (non‐diapause reproduction) and late (post‐diapause reproduction) series. Thus, non‐diapause females produced significantly fewer egg masses than did females that reproduced only after diapause. The timing of diapause induction strongly affected overwintering success and post‐diapause performance: females that became adults and entered diapause in October lived longer, had a longer period of oviposition, and produced more eggs in larger egg masses than females that attained adulthood and entered diapause in September. 5. Females from the early series reproduced until late November, although progeny from the late September eggs were destined to die during the winter. Pre‐winter reproduction of adults that emerged in mid‐September or later was a result of the imperfect timing of diapause induction. It is an ineffective allocation of resources and may be considered the ecological cost of range expansion. 6. To establish in the region, N. viridula will probably evolve a lengthening of the critical photoperiod of the diapause induction response. This will allow the species to enter diapause earlier and, thus, avoid maladaptive late‐autumn reproduction but, perhaps, increase the cost of diapause because of a possible adverse impact of pre‐winter high temperature conditions on overwintering.     

Prevalence of a trypanosomatid in the southern green stink bug, Nezara viridula

The southern green stink bug, Nezara viridula (L.), and certain of its host plants were examined to determine the prevalence and biological characteristics of an intestinal trypanosomatid. Promastigotes with short (< or = 17.5 microm excluding flagellum) and long forms (> or = 25.0 microm) usually infected < 50% of the bugs before August and > 50% (maximum 95%) during August-October, but prevalence was not host-density dependent. The flagellate was detected in adults and in all nymphal instars, at all sampling sites where at least 10 bugs were captured, and in bugs from all host plants sampled (soybean, red clover, vetch). Of bugs with flagellates, 27% were heavily infected (> 20 flagellates per 160X microscope field). Weights of infected and uninfected adults did not differ. Live flagellates were detected in bug feces and in one stem of red clover. When bugs were fed soybean pods, tomatoes, or snap beans in the laboratory, only once were flagellates detected in plant tissue (snap beans). The flagellate was cultured in modified Medium 199. This flagellate is prevalent in N. viridula populations in Louisiana and apparently does not cause significant pathological effects in N. viridula or its host plants, including soybean.     

Transport of orally delivered dsRNA in southern green stink bug,Nezara viridula

The southern green stink bug (SGSB, Nezara viridula) is an emerging polyphagous pest in many regions of the world. RNA interference (RNAi) is a valuable method for understanding gene function and holds great potential for pest management. However, RNAi efficiency is variable among insects and the differences in transport of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) are one of the major factors that contribute to this variability. In this study, Cy3 labeled dsRNA was used to track the transport of dsRNA in SGSB tissues. Cy3_dsRNA was detected in the hemocytes, fat body (FB), epidermis, and midgut tissues at 24–72 hr after injection. Orally delivered Cy3_dsRNA or Cypher-5E labeled dsRNA was mostly detected in the midgut and a few signals were detected in parts of the FB and epidermis. Both injected and fed Cy3_dsRNA showed stronger signals in SGSB tissues when compared to Cy3_siRNA (small interfering RNA) or Cy3_shRNA (short hairpin RNA). dsRNA targeting the gene for a vacuolar-sorting protein, SNF7, induced higher knockdown of the target gene and greater SGSB mortality compared to siRNA or shRNA targeting this gene. ³²P-labeled dsRNA injected into SGSB was processed into siRNA, but fed ³²P-labeled dsRNA was not efficiently processed into siRNA. These data suggest that transport of orally delivered dsRNA across the midgut epithelium is not efficient in SGSB which may contribute to variable RNAi efficiency. Targeting genes expressed in the midgut rather than other tissues and using dsRNA instead of siRNA or shRNA would be more effective for RNAi-mediated control of this pest.     

Tarsal attachment devices of the southern green stink bug Nezara viridula (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae)

Based on analyses with cryo‐scanning and transmission electron microscopy, the present study reports on the morphology and ultrastructure of the attachment structures of the green stinkbug Nezara viridula L. (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae), a cosmopolitan pest of different crops in most areas of the world. In addition, the presence and distribution of large proportions of the elastic protein resilin in these structures was revealed by confocal laser scanning microscopy. The attachment structures of each leg comprise two sclerotised claws, a pair of smooth flexible pulvilli and a hairy adhesive pad located at the ventral side of the basitarsus. No sexual dimorphism is evident. Contact areas of resting individuals on a smooth surface show that N. viridula creates contact to the substrate with the ventral surface of (a) the distal portions of the pulvilli, (b) the setae of the hairy adhesive pad, (c) the two paraempodia representing mechanosensory setae, and (d) the tips of the claws. Each pulvillus is a sac‐like structure formed by complex cuticular layers that vary in their structure and resilin content. The dorsal side consists of sclerotised chitinous material, while the ventral cuticle consists mainly of resilin and shows a very thin epicuticle and a thick exocuticle. The setae of the hairy adhesive pad are pointed and socketed. They exhibit a pronounced longitudinal gradient in the material composition, with large proportions of resilin being present in the setal tips. In most of these setae, especially in those of the distal‐most part of the pad, also a transverse gradient in the material composition is visible.     

Timing of diapause induction outside the natural distribution range of a species: an outdoor experiment with the bean bug Riptortus clavatus

The phytophagous bug Riptortus clavatus (Thunberg) (Heteroptera: Alydidae) produces two or three generations per year in Central Japan and overwinters in the adult stage. In bugs from the Kyoto population (35°00 N, 135°45 E), we studied (1) the effects of day-length on the nymphal and preoviposition periods under constant photoperiod at 20.5 °C, and (2) photoperiodic induction of adult diapause at 20.5 °C and under a combination of constant photoperiod and natural daily rhythm of temperature in the forest-steppe zone of Russia (50°38 N, 35°58 E). Then, we examined (3) the timing of diapause induction under quasi-natural conditions in the same region, far outside the species' natural geographical range. At 20.5 °C, the nymphal period in both males and females was significantly longer under regimes with shorter photophases than under those with longer photophases. The preoviposition period in females was significantly longer under the near-critical long-day regime L14:D10 than under typical long-day regimes (L15:D9, L16:D8, and L17:D7). The critical day-length for diapause induction was shorter under conditions of natural daily rhythm of temperature than those reported at constant 20, 25, and 30 °C. Under quasi-natural conditions in the forest-steppe zone, R. clavatus entered diapause in September, much later than the local populations of true bugs studied to date. This experiment showed that R. clavatus was maladapted to new environmental conditions: diapause was induced too late with the result that all or most nymphs hatched in late August or early September will die.     

Localization of selected pathogens of cotton within the southern green stink bug

Southern green stink bugs, Nezara viridula (L.) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), are pests of cotton recently shown to ingest, retain, and introduce some pathogens of cotton into bolls. The objective of this study was to determine where pathogen colonization occurs in N. viridula after ingestion. Laboratory‐reared adult N. viridula were fed sterile green beans soaked in water (control) or beans previously soaked in a suspension of one of three opportunistic bacterial pathogens [Pantoea agglomerans (Ewing & Fife), Pantoea ananatis (Serrano) Truper & De’Clari, or Klebsiella pneumoniae (Schroeter)] or a yeast [Nematospora coryli (Peglion)]. The insect rostrum, head, and alimentary canal were subsequently processed to determine the presence of pathogenic organisms. Overall, the alimentary canal exhibited significantly more bacterial colony forming units per g tissue (mean ± SEM = 4 806.3 ± 397.2) than the head (443.4 ± 397.2) and rostrum (46.0 ± 397.2); concentrations in the head and rostrum did not differ significantly. All four pathogens were detected in the alimentary canal, but only P. agglomerans and N. coryli were detected in the rostrum and head. Although P. ananatis and K. pneumoniae were only detected in the alimentary canal, their ranges of concentrations were similar to those of P. agglomerans and N. coryli in this tissue. Non‐selective media indicated that other bacterial fauna was also detected in all study insects. Thus, N. viridula does not discriminate with regard to ingestion of pathogens. The observed distribution pattern of tested bacteria and yeast in certain tissues of N. viridula clarifies the propensity for transmission of P. agglomerans and N. coryli. Results are discussed in relation to future research avenues examining selective colonization of certain pathogens and frequency of host infection by adults harboring the pathogenic organisms.     

Photoperiodic and temperature control of nymphal development and induction of reproductive diapause in two predatory Orius bugs: interspecific and geographic differences

Abstract The effects of day‐length and temperature on pre‐adult growth and induction of reproductive diapause are studied in Orius sauteri and Orius minutus (Heteroptera: Anthocoridae) from northern (43.0°N, 141.4°E) and central (36.1°N, 140.1°E) Japan. In the north, at 20 °C, pre‐adult growth is slower under an LD 14 : 10 h photoperiod than under shorter or longer photophases. At 24 and 28 °C, the longer photophases result in shorter pre‐adult periods. Acceleration of nymphal growth by short days in autumn appears to be adaptive. In the central region, this response is less pronounced, suggesting that timing of adult emergence is less critical than in the north. Day length also influences the thermal requirements for pre‐adult development. The slope of the regression line representing temperature dependence of pre‐adult development is significantly smaller and the lower development threshold (LDT) is significantly lower under an LD 12 : 12 h photoperiod than under long‐day conditions. The weaker dependence of nymphal growth on temperature and the lower LDT in autumn might be adaptive. In the north, increased temperature shifts the critical day length of diapause induction and suppresses the photoperiodic response in O. sauteri but not in O. minutus. Further south, the incidence of diapause in both species is low even under short‐day conditions but the same interspecific difference is observed (i.e. increase of temperature affects the response in O. sauteri but not in O. minutus). This suggests seasonally earlier diapause induction with weaker temperature dependence in O. minutus than in O. sauteri.     

Studies on the adult polymorphism in the southern green stink bug,Nezara viridula (hemiptera: Pentatomidae)

Polymorphism in adult colour pattern of Nezara viridula is determined on the genetic basis. The basic colour patterns of adult are classified into four types, i. e. G, O, R and F. No appreciable differences between these types were observed in respect to various physiological traits of nymphs and adults, except that type G seems to be superior in reproductive ability but to be inferior in ability of surviving winters at least to types R and F. Inter-generation changes in percentage frequency of G type were examined from 1959 to 1967 covering more than 30 generations. Percentage frequencies of G types prior to the severe winter of 1962–3 fluctuated greatly around a mean of 87.9%, while they did to a lesser extent than before with a mean of 85.0% after the winter. Unexpected high percentages of G type were recorded frequently in summer generations, viz. 1st and 2nd. On the other hand, the relative frequencies of G and O types decreased after hibernation in contrast to the increases in those of F and R. This sort of changes in genetic composition related to the winter of 1962–3 was observed in several populations segregated from each other. This seasonal alternation of selective activity in the environments is considered to be responsible for retention of the polymorphism. Alternative possible causes, i. e. difference in habitat preference, non-random mating and selective predation by predators among polymorphs, may safely be rejected as irrelevant to the mechanism in maintaining polymorphism. The polymorphism of this insect seems to be in a transient state rather than balanced one contributing little to population regulation, but the persistence of N. viridula in the periphery range may be assisted by retention of the polymorphism.     

Transmission of cotton seed and boll rotting bacteria by the southern green stink bug (Nezara viridula L.)

AIMS: To determine the ability of the southern green stink bug (SGSB) (Nezara viridula L.) to transmit Pantoea agglomerans into cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) bolls. METHODS AND RESULTS: An SGSB laboratory colony was kept on fresh green beans. A P. agglomerans variant resistant to rifampicin (Rif) (strain Sc 1-R) was used as the opportunistic cotton pathogen. Adult insects were individually provided green beans that were sterilized and then soaked in either sterile water or in a suspension of strain Sc 1-R. Insects were individually caged with an unopened greenhouse-grown cotton boll. After 2 days, live SGSB were collected, surfaced sterilized, ground, serially diluted, and then plated on nonselective media and media amended with Rif. Exterior and interior evidence of feeding on bolls was recorded 2 weeks after exposure to insects. Seed and lint tissue were harvested, ground, serially diluted, and then plated on media with and without Rif. Bacteria were recovered on nonselective media from all insects, and from seed and lint with signs of insect feeding at concentrations ranging from 10(2) to 10(9) CFU g(-1) tissue. The Sc 1-R strain was isolated only from insects exposed to the marked strain and from seed and lint of respective bolls showing signs of insect feeding. Evidence of insect feeding on the exterior wall of the carpel was not always apparent (47%), whereas feeding was always observed (100%) on the interior wall in association with bacterial infections of seed and lint. CONCLUSIONS: Nezara viridula readily ingested the opportunistic P. agglomerans strain Sc 1-R and transmitted it into unopened cotton bolls. Infections by the transmitted Sc 1-R strain caused rotting of the entire locule that masked internal carpel wounds incurred by insect feeding. Bacteria were recovered from penetration points by insects not exposed to the pathogen, but locule damage was limited to the area surrounding the feeding site (c. 3 mm). SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This is the first study that demonstrates the ability of SGSB to acquire and transmit plant pathogenic bacteria into cotton bolls.     

Inheritance of photoperiodic induction of larval diapause in the Asian corn borer Ostrinia furnacalis

The Asian corn borer Ostrinia furnacalis (Guenée) enters facultative diapause as fully‐developed larvae in response to short‐day conditions. As a consequence of geographical variation in photoperiodic response, moths from Nanchang (28°46′N, 115°50′E) enter diapause in response to short day‐lengths (D strain), even at the high temperatures whereas moths from Ledong (18°47′N, 108°89′E) exhibit almost no diapause under the same conditions (N strain). In the present study, crosses between the two strains are used to evaluate the inheritance of diapause under different photoperiods at temperatures of 22, 25 and 28 °C. The moths, both reciprocal crosses and backcrosses, show a clear long‐day response, similar to that of the D strain, suggesting that the photoperiodic response controlling diapause in this moth is heritable. However, the critical day‐length for induction of diapause is shorter in hybrids than in the D strain. The N strain also shows a short‐day photoperiodic response at the lower temperature of 22 °C, indicating that the N strain still has the capacity to enter a photoperiodically‐induced diapause, depending on the rearing temperature. The incidence of diapause in all crosses is highest with D strain fathers or grandfathers and lowest with N strain fathers or grandfathers, indicating that the male parent has significantly more influence on the incidence of diapause of subsequent progeny than the female. The results obtained from all crosses under LD 12 : 12 h or LD 13 : 11 h photocycles at 25 °C show that inheritance of diapause in O. furnacalis does not fit an additive hypothesis and that the capacity for diapause is transmitted genetically in the manner of incomplete dominance.