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BEHAVIOR OF THE GYPSY MOTH PREDATOR, CALOSOMA SYCOPHANTA L. (CARABIDAE: COLEOPTERA), AS INFLUENCED BY TIME OF DAY AND REPRODUCTIVE STATUS

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  31 May 2012

Ronald M. Weseloh
Affiliation:
Department of Entomology, Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, New Haven, Connecticut, USA 06504

Abstract

Adult Calosoma sycophanta L. (Carabidae: Coleoptera) male and female pairs in a laboratory arena were observed for up to 30 days with a video recorder. Beetles were visible (i.e. not hiding) or in soil (i.e. female ovipositing) especially during night hours. Feeding on gypsy moth larvae occurred any time of the day or night. Male and female beetles were most active during the time when female beetles were ovipositing. Females spent more time eating and staying in soil than did males, but males tended to move around the arena more than did females. Based on results from this study, it is expected that, in the forest, C. sycophanta females will spend most of their time hidden in leaf litter or ovipositing. Males are more likely to be seen because they spend more time moving about, probably seeking mates.

Résumé

Des couples d’adultes de Calosoma sycophanta L. (Carabidae : Coleoptera) ont été observés au moyen d’un vidéoscope pendant de longues périodes (jusqu’à 30 jours) dans une enceinte de laboratoire. Les insectes étaient visibles (ils ne se cachaient pas) ou enfouis dans le sol (femelles occupées à pondre), surtout durant la nuit. Ils se nourrissaient de larves de spongieuses à tout moment de la journée ou de la nuit. Les mâles aussi bien que les femelles étaient actifs surtout au cours de la période de ponte. Les femelles passaient plus de temps à manger ou à rester dans le sol que les mâles, et les mâles avaient plus tendance que les femelles à se déplacer dans l’enceinte. D’après les résultats de cette étude, il faut s’attendre à ce qu’en forêt les femelles de C. sycophanta passent la plus grande partie de leur temps enfouies dans la litière de feuilles ou occupées à pondre. Il est plus probable d’apercevoir les mâles, car ils passent plus de temps à se déplacer, probablement à la recherche de partenaires.

[Traduit par la rédaction]

Type
Articles
Copyright
Copyright © Entomological Society of Canada 1993

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