Effect of delayed mating on longevity and reproductive performance of Lasioderma serricorne (F.) (Coleoptera: Anobiidae)

Authors: AMOAH, BARBARA - South Carolina State University; MAHROOF, RIZANA - South Carolina State University; Gerken, Alison; Campbell, James - Jim

Submitted to: Journal of Economic Entomology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/30/2018
Publication Date: 2/12/2019
Citation: Amoah, B.A., Mahroof, R.M., Gerken, A.R., Campbell, J.F. 2019. Effect of delayed mating on longevity and reproductive performance of Lasioderma serricorne (F.) (Coleoptera: Anobiidae). Journal of Economic Entomology. 112(1):475-484. https://doi.org/10.1093/jee/toy336.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/jee/toy336

Interpretive Summary: The use for mating disruption, whereby large amounts of synthetic pheromone is released into the environment to interfere with ability of males to find females, for management of stored product insect pests is increasing. For many insects, even if mating is not completely disrupted and only delayed this still can have significant negative effects on reproduction that contribute to a reduction in pest population size. The cigarette beetle is a serious insect pest of a wide range of stored products. Currently, mating disruption is being pursued as a new management tactic for this species, but little was known about the impact of delaying mating on the longevity of adults and the number of offspring they produce. We found that as mating was delayed from 0–14 days, and was imposed on both sexes simultaneously, on males only, and on females only, unmated adults lived significantly longer than mated adults, and mated females lived significantly longer than mated males, but how long adults lived did not change with the length of delay. Progeny production decreased as the time it took for adults to mate increased. The number of progeny produced when mating delay was imposed on both sexes simultaneously or on females only was significantly lower than when mating delay was imposed on males only. Hence, females were more adversely affected by delayed mating than males. Findings from this study provide information useful for evaluating the potential of mating disruption for this pest species and can help in the development of mating disruption strategies that are effective in suppressing populations of this pest.

Technical Abstract: In recent times, research has focused on integrated pest management approaches using non-chemical alternatives such as mating disruption for the control of stored product insect pests. In this study, we examined the effect of imposed delayed mating on the longevity and reproductive performance of the cigarette beetle, Lasioderma serricorne (F.) (Coleoptera: Anobiidae), a serious insect pest of value added grain-based products, tobacco products, and spices. Delayed mating, progressing 0–14 days, was imposed on both sexes simultaneously, on males only, and on females only. Insects were observed daily for longevity, and F1 progeny was recorded 7–10 weeks after mating pairs were placed together. Unmated adults lived significantly longer than mated adults, and mated females lived significantly longer than mated males. However, the length of the period of mating delay did not significantly affect the longevity of mated adults. Progeny production decreased with age of adults at mating. The number of progeny produced when mating delay was imposed on both sexes simultaneously or on females only was significantly lower than when mating delay was imposed on males only. Hence, females were more adversely affected by delayed mating than males. Findings from this study may provide information for the development of mating disruption techniques that can delay mating and may be effective in keeping populations of L. serricorne below levels that would warrant a control action.