The Fecundity of the Black-headed Budworm Acleris variana (Fern.) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) in Coastal Alaska

Abstract

AbstractThe oviposition and fecundity of field- and lib-reared specimens of the black-headed budworm, Acleris variana (Fern.), were studied. Each female produced from 13 to 179 eggs. Those from field-collected pupae averaged B6.5 eggs in 1963 and 86.7 in 1964; those reared in the laboratory produced significantly fewer. Forcing late-instar larvae to feed on old foliage did not reduce fecundity significantly. Individuals with an early seasonal development produced more eggs than those with a late seasonal development. The regression of pupal size on fecundity was significant at the 1% level. Because the correlation coefficient for the relationship was low (0.48), pupal size provides only a rough estimate of expected fecundity.