Seasonal changes in wing dimorphism of the lygaeid bug Dimorphopterus japonicus (Heteroptera: Lygaeidae) in relation to environmental factors

Authors: Rikiya SASAKI¹; Fusao NAKASUJI; Kenji FUJISAKI²

Source: Entomological Science, Volume 6, Number 2, June 2003 , pp. 63-70(8)

Publisher: Blackwell Publishing

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Abstract:

The lygaeid bug Dimorphopterus japonicus Hidaka, which mainly feeds on a eulalia, Miscanthus sinensis, shows marked wing dimorphism of brachyptery and macroptery. Its production of macropters is stimulated in rearing conditions such as high temperature, long photoperiod and crowding during the nymphal stage. In this study, we investigated the seasonal prevalence in occurrence and the seasonal change in incidence of macroptery in D. japonicus for field populations in Okayama, western Japan. The results demonstrated that nymphal density was a key factor in determining the proportion of macropters, indicating an escape strategy from crowded populations. The field surveys also revealed that this bug has a univoltine life cycle in Okayama. There was a seasonal change in the incidence of macroptery in the new generation. The combined effects of temperature and photoperiod on wing-form determination explained this seasonality trait.

Keywords: density; escape strategy; photoperiod; temperature; univoltinism; wing form

Document Type: Research article

DOI: 10.1046/j.1343-8786.2003.00009.x

Affiliations: 1: Faculty of Agriculture, Okayama University, Okayama and 2: Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan

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