Effects of delayed mating and male mating history on longevity and reproductive performance of the rice stem borer, Chilo suppressalis (Walker) (Lep., Pyralidae)

The mating potential, effects of delayed mating and male mating history on longevity and reproductive performance of female rice stem borer (RSB), Chilo suppressalis, were investigated under laboratory conditions. Given the opportunity, RSB males copulated an average of 2.7 times, while females generally mated only once. Females were more severely affected by mating delay than males in terms of female longevity and reproductive performance. With increasing age at mating, females' longevity increased, while oviposition period, fecundity and egg fertility decreased. Mean fecundity and egg fertility of females mated 1 and 7 days after emergence were 251.3% and 99.2%, and 96.2% and 75.5% respectively. Both were reduced significantly when female mating was delayed beyond 4 days after emergence. However, irrespective of the first mating age and different mating history of the males, the results indicated that both did not result in a significant difference in the quality of their contributions to female longevity and reproductive performance. The results obtained in this study are discussed in relation to the potential effect on pheromone control of RSB.