THE OCCURRENCE, LIFE HISTORY, COURTSHIP, AND MATING BEHAVIOUR OF THE SUNFLOWER MOTH, HOMOEOSOMA ELECTELLUM (LEPIDOPTERA: PHYCITIDAE), IN THE CANADIAN PRAIRIE PROVINCES

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
The sunflower moth, Homoeosoma electellum (Hulst) is a constant and damaging pest of cultivated sunflowers in Texas, Nebraska, and California. It was reported in Canada from Manitoba and Saskatchewan as early as 1936. Present studies begun in 1975 show that it can cause economic damage to cultivated fields in Saskatchewan. Field observations also indicate that this pest does not overwinter in Canada but that adults fly, or are blown in, from the south each year.An efficient method of rearing this pest in the laboratory was developed and observations on its life history and behaviour, especially courtship and mating behaviour, are reported herein.
Keywords