Influência da temperatura na freqüência de cópula de Anticarsia gemmatalis Hübner e Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Abstract

This paper deals with the influence of temperature on the mating frequency of two lepidopterans, Anticarsia gemmatalis Hübner and Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith), which use different strategies of allocation, and with the utilization of nutrients for their reproductive activities. The insects were reared on artificial diets at 25°C, and the adults were exposed to five temperatures (15, 20, 25, 30, and 35°C) to observe the influence of each temperature on their mating frequency, fecundity, fertility and longevity. The temperature affected the mating frequency of both species, being more evident at 15°C and 35°C, mainly for A. gemmatalis, which presented a drastic reduction on mating activities. The highest number of matings were observed from 20°C to 30°C, with S. frugiperda presenting mating activity (0-8) much higher than that of A. gemmatalis (0-2), but no correlation was observed among the number of matings and all other biological parameters evaluated (fecundity, fertility and longevity). However, S. frugiperda showed a positive correlation between fecundity and mating activity of females (r = 0.589; P = 0.003) at 25°C. The highest fecundities were observed at temperatures from 20°C to 30°C for S. frugiperda and at 25°C for A. gemmatalis. For both species, the longevity of males and females decreased as temperature increased.