CAUSES AND ECOLOGICAL IMPLICATIONS OF EGG RETENTION IN THE GYPSY MOTH, LYMANTRIA DISPAR (L.) (LEPIDOPTERA: LYMANTRIIDAE).

Abstract

AbstractThe role of starvation, the occurrence of mating, and delays and the onset of mating on the retention of eggs by the gypsy moth, Lymantria dispar (L.), were evaluated. The mating status of female gypsy moths did influence egg retention.Mating delays did not affect egg retention. Differences in the number of females retaining some eggs were found among females whose larvae had been reared on different host plants. The amount of food consumed had a significant effect on egg retention. Partial starvation had an impact on egg retention and on larval and pupal development, pupal size, and total egg production. The greater the starvation the greater the egg retention. The ecological implications of these results are discussed.