ONCE-MATED BEET ARMYWORM (LEPIDOPTERA, NOCTUIDAE) - EFFECTS OF AGE ATMATING ON FECUNDITY, FERTILITY, AND LONGEVITY

We studied the effects of age at mating on reproductive parameters for once-mated beet armyworm, Spodoptera exigua (Hubner), moths in the la boratory The age of moths at mating significantly influenced the trans fer of spermatophores by virgin males and the receipt of spermatophore s by virgin females. Female age at mating significantly affected fecun dity, fertility, and longevity Two days after emergence was the optimu m mating age for females to achieve their maximum reproductive potenti al. However, females laying the greatest number of eggs lived the fewe st number of days. Male age at mating significantly influenced the fec undity and fertility of their mate and their own longevity. Females ma ting with 2-d-old males laid the most eggs and had the highest fertili ty males mating on day 2 after emergence lived significantly fewer day s than males that mated on day 1 or on days 10 or 11. To document the effects of an adult mortality factor on S. exigua reproductive potenti al, the age at which moths mate must be standardized.