Endogenous timing mechanism controlling the circannual pupation rhythm of the varied carpet beetle Anthrenus verbasci

Abstract.

This paper describes the detailed characteristics of the circannual pupation rhythm in Anthrenus verbasci determined by laboratory experiments under various photoperiods and temperatures. The frequency distribution of larval duration showed a periodic pattern over 2–3 years and the period was 37–40 weeks under a constant short-day photoperiod (light:dark 12:12) at 20°C. This rhythm showed temperature compensation to some extent under a short-day photoperiod between 17.5°C and 27.5°C. Under alternations of a long-day (light:dark 16:8) and a short-day photoperiod, pupation occurred 21–24.5 weeks after transfer from a long-day to a short-day photoperiod. Therefore, we concluded that the timing of pupation in A. verbasci is controlled by a circannual rhythm and its zeitgeber is a change in photoperiod. Furthermore, when larvae were transferred from a long-day to a short-day photoperiod at various ages, the larval duration after the photoperiodic transfer depended on the time of the transfer. This difference can be explained by phase-dependent phase shifts in the circannual rhythm.