2003 Volume 38 Issue 3 Pages 321-325
Eobiana engelhardti subtropica (formerly Metrioptera hime) is wing-dimorphic. The long-winged (LW) morph was clearly induced by crowding during the nymphal stages. Short-winged (SW) females produced eggs more intensively in an earlier period than did LW females. This difference in egg production between the two wing morphs seems to be associated with different patterns of increase in body weight after adult emergence. The body weight of SW females rapidly increased and reached its peak at about the time when oviposition started. On the other hand, the increase in body weight of LW females was slow, although it continued even after the start of oviposition. These findings suggest that the SW morph is adapted to sedentary life and rapid reproduction and that the LW morph tends to migrate before or during reproduction. However, in both the morphs, reproductive traits (pre-oviposition period, egg-laying period, number of eggs laid, and longevity) were to some extent flexible and could be modified by photoperiodic conditions.
