Genetic Contribution to the Dispersal Polymorphism of the Cowpea Weevil (Coleoptera: Bruchidae)

Document Type

Article

Journal/Book Title/Conference

Annals of the Entomological Society of America

Volume

80

Publication Date

1-1-1987

First Page

12

Last Page

16

Abstract

The seed beetle, Callosobruchus maculatus (F.), exhibits a crowding-induced dispersal polymorphism; high densities of larvae trigger development of dispersing or “active” beetles. This study demonstrates that a genetic component also influences morph determination. Reciprocal, single-pair crosses were performed between a monomorphic, laboratory population and a polymorphic, wild population, and all larvae were reared in a common, crowded environment. Morph ratios in the hybrids were intermediate to those of the parental strains, but displayed a strong maternal effect. The dispersal polymorphism of C. maculatus appears to be controlled by a complex genotype/environment interaction, and contrasts with the purely genetic wing dimorphisms in other Coleoptera.

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