Comparative effect of short term exposures of Callosobruchus subinnotatus to carbon dioxide, nitrogen, or low temperature on behavior and fecundity

The effect of anesthetizing with carbon dioxide, nitrogen, or low temperatu re on the reproductive behavior and fecundity of Callosobruchus subinnotatu s was investigated. Males and females anesthetized with N-2 as virgins had shorter recovery time, copulated earlier, and had shorter mating time than those subjected to CO2 or low temperature. Exposure of males and females to 2.0 +/- 0.5 degrees C for 10 min had the most profound effect On the recov ery periods, copulation time, and duration of mating. Adults anesthetized w ith CO2 and low temperature laid fewer eggs than those anesthetized with Nz . Females were more affected than males by the treatments, except when male s were chilled for 10 min, and this prolonged the time for commencement of mating. The mode of anesthesia could affect egg production because vitellog enesis and choriogenesis take place in the image stage of bruchids.