Abstract
Reproduction capacity of the smaller tea tortrix moth was examined under laboratory conditions as the basis for utilization of sex pheromones for the control of this insect pest. Sex ratio of males and females which are polygamous was 1.2:1. Male has the ability to inseminate a female every day until 8 or 9 days after emergence. Mating resulted prolonging the longevity of the female moth, which oviposits all her fertile eggs only in the first mating. The second mating of female moths usually occurs when hatchability of eggs laid by this female decreases. However, fertility of the female was not improved by the second mating. Number of spermatophores detected in a female were not necessarily related to the mating frequency. About 10% of the females with one mating carried two spermatophores. Thus, estimation of female's mating frequency by the numbers of spermatophores would become inaccurate in the females with multiple matings. Prolonged pre-mating period was detrimented to fertility of adults. Eight-day pre-mating period brought about one tenth of the number of viable eggs compared with normal mating. This effect was especially conspicuous in the females and fertility was not recovered by mating with newly emerged adults.
