Eur. J. Entomol. 90 (2): 137-147, 1993
Oogenesis and oviposition in the cabbage root fly, Delia radicum (Diptera: Anthomyiidae), influenced by food quality, mating and host plant availability
- N/A
The oogenesis, oviposition and longevity of individually-held cabbage root fly, Delia radicum (L.), females that were deprived of mating opportunities, host plants or adult foods were compared with those of flies that were not deprived. The rate of formation of the first batch of mature eggs was not influenced by this deprivation. The lack of proteins or carbohydrates in the diet reduced total fecundity and also, in the case of carbohydrates, longevity. The absence of a host plant resulted in a blocked oviposition and a retarded development of the second and subsequent follicles. After some period of host deprivation (highly variable among individuals), egg development in the second follicles recommenced, and females oviposited even though host plant cues were lacking. Virgin females also showed a delayed onset of oviposition, had a lower total fecundity and a shorter life span and retained two or even three eggs in each ovariole at the time of death. Variability within treatment groups was great, ranging in females that were deprived of host plant or mating opportunities from almost complete inhibition of eg
Keywords: Ecophysiology, Delia radicum, egg maturation, egg laying, nutrition, mating, deprivation, eggload, virgin
Accepted: January 20, 1993; Published: June 25, 1993 Show citation
This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0), which permits use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original publication is properly cited. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.