The effects of food shortage upon larvae of Lasioderma serricorne (F.) (Coleoptera, Anobiidae)

Abstract

In a long series of experiments with Lasioderma serricorne (F.) carried out at 30°C. and 60 per cent. R.H. it was established that shortage of food prolongs development and reduces survival of the immature stages and also reduces the weight of the resulting adults. Competitive effects between larvae over and above those caused by food shortage alone were not detected. Larvae ate eggs and pupae only in the complete absence of any other food, and they did not appear to eat one another. There was no trend in the performance of the immature stages attributable to the age of the female parent at the time of oviposition. Variation between the times taken by different individuals to attain a subsequent stage was positively skewed. Adult females weigh more than males, this difference in weight first occurring during the third (penultimate) larval instar. There were no significant differences in the developmental periods of the sexes.