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The effects of temperature and photoperiod on the morphology of the egg‐pod of the Australian plague locust ( Chortoicetes terminifera Walker, Orthoptera: Acrididae)
Author(s) -
WARDHAUGH K. G.
Publication year - 1977
Publication title -
australian journal of ecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1442-9993
pISSN - 0307-692X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1442-9993.1977.tb01129.x
Subject(s) - photoperiodism , acrididae , orthoptera , biology , point of delivery , locust , zoology , horticulture , botany
Chortoicetes terminifera can detect absolute differences of both temperature and photo‐period, as well as the directional change of these parameters. Insects subjected to long‐day conditions, or to an increase in photo‐period during development lay long straight pods, whereas those subjected to short days or to a decrease in photoperiod during development lay short pods, which are usually curved and/or laid obliquely. Temperature does not affect oviposition behaviour at long photoperiod, but at medium and short photoperiod, high temperature or an increase in temperature promotes the production of long pods, whereas low temperature or a decrease in temperature stimulates the production of short pods. When temperature and photoperiod change in opposite directions, the effects of photoperiod override those of temperature. The significance of these findings is discussed in relation to egg development and survival.