Reproductive biology of Batocera rufomaculata de geer (coleoptera: cerambycidae) on mulberry
Abstract
The extent of damage caused by Batocera rufomaculata De Geer to the host plants is dependent on its rate of reproduction. Therefore, investigations on reproductive biology of B. rufomaculata De Geer were undertaken to quantify its reproductive potential. Age specific fecundity and survival were studied and it was found that beetles required an average of 14 days of maturation feeding period. Sexually mature beetles mated promiscuously and copulation period averaged 60.50±6.23 sec. Females deposited eggs singly onto the bark, with mean daily and fecundity of 1.27 and 148.66 eggs, respectively.
Keywords
Coleoptera, Cerambycidae, reproductive biology, host selection, mating oviposition, fecundity, longevity
