Influence of Adult Male Size on Fecundity and Progeny Size in Callosobruchus maculatus (Fabricius) [Coleoptera: Bruchidae].

Abstract

The effect of male size on fecundity and progeny size in Callosobruchus maculatus (Fabricius) was studied under ambient laboratory conditions in Akure, Nigeria. The highest number of eggs (83.8) was laid when a big male was mated with a big female. This was followed by the 66.3 eggs laid when a big male was mated with a small female. Pairing involving a small male and a big female, and a small male and a small female produced lower numbers of eggs (40.0 and 34.4, respectively). Similarly, the highest number of progeny (57.4 adults) was produced when a big male was mated with a big female. This was followed by the progeny produced (43.4 adults) when a big male was mated with a small female. Pairing involving a small male and a big female produced 20.7 adults; comparable number for the small male and small female pair was 20.0 adults. Unmated males were observed to live longer than mated males. Daily loss in weight was significantly higher (P< 0.05) in mated than in unmated males.