SPERMATOPHORE NUMBER IN THE CODLING MOTH CYDIA POMONELLA (L.) (LEPIDOPTERA: OLETHREUTIDAE)

Abstract

AbstractWild codling moth, Cydia pomonella (L.), females were trapped from May through September in the upper (Yakima) and lower (White Swan) Yakima River Basin, WA, using 10 bait traps and 4 and 19 blacklight traps, respectively, for 2 and 5 years in abandoned apple orchards. The average spermatophore count per female at Yakima was 1.08; at White Swan it was 1.76. The spermatophore count was similar in both first (0.97 and 1.79) and second (1.00 and 1.70) generations at both locations. Regression analysis of field data and laboratory tests showed that cool temperatures reduced the number of spermatophores, which reflect reduced mating. There was a high correlation between the number of small spermatophores and females with multiple spermatophores. Usually females with a large spermatophore mated only once. Females usually mated on the 1st day following emergence. Once mated, even females with small spermatophores seldom mated again on subsequent days.