Relations between environment, migration and reproduction in a seed bug, Neacoryphus bicrucis (Say) (Heteroptera: Lygaeidae)

Abstract

The seed feeding bug Neacoryphus bicrucis migrates by flight, often at great altitudes, and evidently is able to disperse over long distances. Non-diapausing females provided with ample food and mates histolyze their flight muscles soon after adult eclosion, and thus undertake very little flight. If food density is below a certain threshold flight ability is retained at a constant high level through most of adult life, while egg production becomes a linear function of the logarithm of food density. Bugs totally starved from adult eclosion onwards survive for a month or more with only a minor decrease in flight ability. Females also retain their flight potential when subjected to lack of mates or diapause-inducing photoperiodic conditions. Most males are able to fly throughout their adult lives under all conditions studied, but the tendency to fly is enhanced by lack of food or mates.