Duration of development and number of nymphal instars are differentially regulated by photoperiod in the cricket Modicogryllus siamensis (Orthoptera: Gryllidae)

Abstract

The effect of photoperiod on nymphal development in the cricket Modicogryllus siamensis was studied. In constant long-days with 16 hr light at 25°C, nymphs matured within 40 days undergoing 7 moults, while in constant short-days with 12 hr light, 12∼23 weeks and 11 or more moults were necessary for nymphal development. When nymphs were transferred from long to short day conditions in the 2nd instar, both the number of nymphal instars and the nymphal duration increased. However, only the nymphal duration increased when transferred to short day conditions in the 3rd instar or later. When the reciprocal transfer was made, the accelerating effect of long-days was less pronounced. The earlier the transfer was made, the fewer the nymphal instars and the shorter the nymphal duration. The decelerating effect of short-days or accelerating effect of long-days on nymphal development varied depending on instar. These results suggest that the photoperiod differentially controls the number of nymphal instars and the duration of each instar, and that the stage most important for the photoperiodic response is the 2nd instar.