Abstract
Migration in insects occurs predominantly, or exclusively, in sexually immature adults. Therefore, the duration of the pre-reproductive period (PRP) sets an upper limit on an individual's migratory potential and has been measured by a number of authors interested in insect migration. Significant differences in PRP between field populations of the African armyworm moth Spodoptera exempta (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) are suggestive of a genetic basis to PRP regulation. The present study examines the genetics of PRP in more detail using selection and sib-analysis experiments. Both sets of experiments suggest a strong genetic component to PRP regulation in female moths, but little or none in males. Moreover, the sib-analysis experiments indicate that the X-chromosome has a disproportionate influence on PRP in females (the heterogametic sex in Lepidoptera). These results are discussed in relation to the migration biology of this species.
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Wilson, K., Gatehouse, A. Migration and genetics of pre-reproductive period in the moth, Spodoptera exempta (African armyworm). Heredity 69, 255–262 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1038/hdy.1992.123
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/hdy.1992.123
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