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Diapause induction and overwintering stage in the fir coneworm (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)

Summary

Published in The Canadian Entomologist 131: 779-786

A laboratory experiment was conducted to identify the overwintering stage of the fir coneworm, Dioryctria abietivorella (Grote), in eastern Canada and determine the influence of photoperiod on diapause induction. ln another experiment, different developmental stages were exposed to field conditions to evaluate their capacity to survive the overwintering period. lnsects were either placed in the duff or exposed to ambient (above ground) conditions to assess the importance of overwintering site on winter survival. Exposure of the fir coneworm to constant short-days or a daily decreasing photoperiod during larval development induced almost all insects to initiate diapause at the fifth instar. Third-, fourth-, and fifth-instar larvae survived the overwintering period when placed in the duff. Because the fir coneworm must leave its host tree and drop to the ground to avoid rigorous winter conditions, we concluded that only fifth-instar larvae couId resume development in spring using such a strategy.

Sector(s): 

Forests

Categorie(s): 

Scientific Article

Theme(s): 

Forestry Research, Forests

Author(s)

TRUDEL, Richard, Éric BEAUCE, Claude GUERTIN and Jean CABANA

Year of publication :

1999

Keywords :

insect, coneworm, Dioryctria abietivorella, overwintering period, diapause induction, photoperiod, survival

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