DYNAMICS OF SPERM STORAGE IN THE GRASSHOPPER EYPREPOCNEMIS-PLORANS

Sperm storage duration in the grasshopper Eyprepocnemis plorans Charpe ntier (Orthoptera, Acrididae) was found to be 58.5 days but with a wid e between-female variation (from 26 to 113 days). One copulation was e nough to fertilize two to eight egg-pods and to produce 130 eggs (28-3 13) and 119 embryos (28-290), on average. Sperm availability, however, decreased progressively with time, so that the majority of females sp ent a long final period of their lives without laying any pod. Finally , sperm storage duration was positively correlated with clutch size an d total production of eggs and embryos.