Influence of Light on Diapause in the Boll Weevil I. Dependence of Diapause Response on the Spectral Composition of the Light Used to Extend the Photoperiod123

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Abstract
Regions of the near-ultraviolet and visible spectrum effective for inducing diapause suppression in the boll weevil, Anthonomus grandis Boheman, were investigated. One group of weevils was exposed to 11 hours of fluorescent light-time and 13 hours of dark-time that initiated diapause (L11:D13); the 2nd group was exposed to 13 hours of fluorescent light-time and 11 hours of dark-time that inhibited diapause (L13:D11). A 3rd group was exposed to 11 hours of fluorescent light-time followed by 2 hours of illumination with narrow wavebands of light of different spectral compositions and 11 hours of dark-time (L11+2:D11). The spectral region most effective for suppressing diapause was found to be between 400-665 nm. The 359-390 nm and 670-1000 nm spectral regions were less effective.