Effects of parental age at oviposition on progeny of Chrysopa rufilabris

• Published in: The Florida entomologist Vol. 55; no. 2; pp. 79 - 85
• Main Authors: Hydorn, S.B, Whitcomb, W.H
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Florida Entomological Society 01-06-1972
• Subjects: Age; Animal age determination; arthropods; Diet; Eggs; entomology; Immatures; Insect larvae; insects; Lacewings; Larval development; Mortality; Oviposition
• ISSN: 0015-4040; 1938-5102
• DOI: 10.2307/3493340

The effect of age of parent Chrysopa rufilabris Burmeister on progeny mortality was investigated at a photoperiod of 14L: 10D and 26°C. Both adults and larvae were reared on pupae of Tribolium castaneum (Herbst). The oviposition period was divided into 3 equal parts and the mortality and development of progeny from each part were compared. The percentage of infertile eggs laid in the first third of the parent oviposition period was significantly less than in the last two thirds. Percentage of offspring that reached maturity decreased significantly as parental age at the time of oviposition increased. Development time of all progeny also increased as the age of the parent at oviposition increased.