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Population quality, dispersal and numerical change in the gypsy moth, Lymantria dispar (L.)

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Summary

First instars from small and large gypsy moth eggs differ significantly in their head capsule width, weight, hatching time and the length of thoracic setae. Pupal weight and the developmental period of immature stages of the gypsy moth originating from small or large eggs do not differ significantly. The mean number of eggs per mass produced by females originating from small eggs is greater than that of females from large eggs although not statistically significant. Highly significant differences in mean egg size of egg masses of each type of female were also observed. The relationship between egg size and dispersal strategies are discussed.

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Author notes

  1. John L. Capinera

    Present address: Department of Zoology and Entomology, Colorado State University, 80523, Fort Collins, CO, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Entomology, University of Massachusetts, 01003, Amherst, MA, USA

    Pedro Barbosa & John L. Capinera

Authors
  1. Pedro Barbosa
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  2. John L. Capinera
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Additional information

Paper No. 2229 Massachusetts Agricultural Experiment Station. University of Massachusetts at Amherst. This research supported (in part) from Experiment Station Project No. 355

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Barbosa, P., Capinera, J.L. Population quality, dispersal and numerical change in the gypsy moth, Lymantria dispar (L.). Oecologia 36, 203–209 (1978). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00349809

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00349809

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