Oviposition in an eruptive moth species, Yponomeuta evonymellus, is insensitive to the population density experienced during the larval period |
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Authors: | Juhan Javoi ,Toomas Tammaru,& Miia Kä ä r |
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Affiliation: | Institute of Zoology and Hydrobiology, University of Tartu;Vanemuise 46, Tartu, EE 51014, Estonia;;Institute of Zoology and Botany, Estonian Agricultural University, Riia 181, Tartu, EE 51014, Estonia;;Section of Ecology, Department of Biology, University of Turku, FIN-20014 Turku, Finland |
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Abstract: | We studied if the population density experienced during larval development affects the reproductive schedule of Yponomeuta evonymellus L. (Lepidoptera, Yponomeutidae), a moth species characterized by outbreak population dynamics. More specifically, we predicted that reproduction would be delayed to facilitate emigration from sites with suboptimally high densities of conspecifics. We manipulated larval densities in the laboratory, as well as in those pupae collected from the extremes of natural densities. As the response, we also recorded the timing and sizes of egg clutches laid. The results did not support our initial predictions: the timing of oviposition was not dependent on larval growth conditions. This apparent lack of adaptation might be related to the loss of ‘memory’ during metamorphosis in holometabolous insects. However, oviposition schedules were also only minimally sensitive to elevated adult density. An inability to respond to high larval densities may contribute to the outbreak dynamics in this species. |
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Keywords: | population density regulation overcrowding population outbreaks conspecific density defoliation reproductive behaviour dispersal small ermine moth Yponomeutidae Lepidoptera Prunus padus |
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