The mating behaviour ofPieris brassicae(L.) in a laboratory culture

Abstract

As part of a general study of the conditions required for satisfactory maintainance of Pieris brassicae (L.) in laboratory culture, an investigation was made of the factors affecting mating behaviour. Notes are given on certain characteristics of the culture from which the experimental material was drawn.It was established that P. brassicae, over one day old, mated readily at temperatures between 20 and 32°C. provided the daylight illumination was above about 200 lumens/sq. ft. Mating occurred more readily at the higher temperatures and illumination levels than at the lower. It was depressed at very high atmospheric humidities. The size of the cage in which the insects were held was not critical, and pairs formed readily in cages as small as one cubic foot. The population density in the cage was also varied over wide limits without significantly influencing the rate at which pairs formed.Mating took place much less readily in the artificial lights which were tested than in daylight. The most satisfactory light was found to be bilaterally arranged ‘daylight ’-type fluorescent lamps. The level of mating in this light would probably have been sufficient to maintain a culture but it was far lower than in daylight of the same intensity.After mating, the females do not usually pair again for five or more days. The males, however, mate more frequently and will often pair several times in the same day.