Abstract
The activity patterns ofChironomus yoshimatsui were investigated experimentally to clarify whether temperature conditions experienced by the larvae and adults had an effect on the timing of adult activities. It was observed that when both larvae and adults were reared at a low temperature of 13°C, the peak of adult evening activities appeared just before simulated nightfall whereas when larvae and/or adults were reared at a high temperature of 23°C, the peak of activities occurred just after simulated night-fall. These results agreed well with field observations of seasonal changes in the timing of evening swarming and mating of this insect. The mechanism of regulating the timing of activities in accordance with temperature conditions is also discussed.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Chiba, Y. 1967a Activity of mosquitoes,Culex pipiens pallens andAedes japonicus under a step-wise decrease of light-intensity.Sci. Rep. Tohoku Univ. Ser. IV (Biol.) 33: 7–13.
Chiba, Y. 1967b Observations on swarming habit of the mosquito,Culex pipiens pallens.Sci. Rep. Tohoku Univ. Ser. IV (Biol.) 33: 15–28.
Chiba, Y., M. Kubota & Y. Nakamura 1982 Differential effects of temperature upon evening and morning peaks in the circadian activity of mosquitoes,Culex pipiens pallens andC. pipiens molestus.J. interdiscipl. Cycle Res. 13: 55–60.
Daan, S. 1981 Adaptive daily strategies in behabior. In: J. Aschoff (ed.)Handbook of Behavioral Neurobiology, Vol. 4, Biological Rhythms. PP. 275–298. Plenum Press, New York and London.
Kon, M. 1984 Swarming and mating ofChironomus yoshimatsui (Diptera: Chironomidae): Seasonal change in the timing of swarming and mating.J. Ethol. 2: 37–45.
Kureck, A. 1979 Two circadian eclosion times inChironomus thummi (Diptera), alternatively selected with different temperatures.Oecologia 40: 311–323.
Miehlbradt, J. & D. Neumann 1976 Reproduktive Isolation durch optische Schwarmmarken bei den sympatrischenChironomus thummi undCh. piger. Behaviour 58: 272–297.
Nielsen, H. T. & E. T. Nielsen 1962 Swarming of mosquitoes. Laboratory experiments under controlled conditions.Ent. exp. appl. 5: 14–32.
Reisen, W. K., M. M. Milby, R. P. Meyer & W. C. Reeves 1983 Population ecology ofCulex tarsalis (Diptera: Culicidae) in a foothill environment in Kern Country, California: Temporal changes in male relative abundance and swarming behaviour.Ann. Ent. Soc. Am. 76: 809–815.
Römer, F. & S. Rosin 1971 Einfluss von Licht und Temperatur auf die Schwarmzeit vonChironomus plumosus L. im Jahresverlauf.Rev. suisse Zool. 78: 851–867.
Truman, J. W. 1973 Temperature sensitive programming of the silkmoth flight clock: A mechanism for adapting to the seasons.Science 182: 727–729.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
About this article
Cite this article
Kon, M. Activity patterns ofChironomus yoshimatsui (Diptera: Chironomidae). J. Ethol. 3, 131–134 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02350303
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02350303