Effect of Age, Body Weight and Multiple Mating on Copitarsia decolora (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) Reproductive Potential and Longevity

Successful behavioral-based control methods rely on the accurate knowledge of the mating dynamics of the target insect. Age at first mating affects reproductive potential and the chance of multiple mating. The cabbage moth, Copitarsia decolora (Guenee) is an important pest of a number of commodities. We investigated combinations of age, body size and mating history to determine how these variables affect insect reproductive capacity. Fecundity and fertility decreased as the age of mating pairs increased, heavy and average sized females laid more eggs than light females. Female multiple mating did not enhance fecundity nor fertility potential. Furthermore, spermatophore size did not determine female re-mating behavior. However, female fecundity and fertility was related to the male mating history. Our results show that SIT is a valuable tool for controlling this pest.