Emergence Pattern and Mating Behavior of Apanteles flavipes(CAMERON)(Hymenoptera : Braconidae)

Abstract

Emergence and mating of the braconid Apanteles flavipes (CAMERON) were studied both in the field and laboratory. Both sexes emerged simultaneously usually within 2 hr after sunrise. Light played an important role in the commencement of emergence. The time required for total emergence was 47.3 min on the average in 30 cocoon masses. On emerging the adults did not immediately fly away, but remained on the undersurface of sugar cane leaves located within ca. 50 cm from the coccons. The first copulation occurred 10 min after the start of emergence and all of the emerged females had copulated within 40 min after the first mating was observed. Males exhibited polygamous mating, but females monogamous. A copulation lasted for 14.6 sec on the average, and males could copulate successively. The sex ratio of 1, 570 adults emerging from 30 cocoon masses was strongly biased in favor of females, 1 ♂ : 4.1 ♀ ♀, but fluctuated widely in each cocoon mass (0.08-18.67). The insemination ratio of females attained 98.0% in the wild population.