Estimating the reproductive properties of the sweet potato weevil, Cylas formicarius (Fabricius) (Coleoptera, Brentidae).

The reproductive properties of the sweet potato weevil were studied at 27 degrees C, 70% RH and 14L10D. The mature female laid, at most 3 to 4 eggs per 2 days, and a total of 64 eggs on average throughout her life time of 96 days. Females that first mated on the 40th day after eclosion laid as many eggs as those first mating on the 10th day. Males and females were fertile until death from the 7th day and the 5th-7th day after eclosion, respectively. Most females were fertile on the day of emergence from the tuber. Virgin females older than 5 days attracted males strongly, but their attractivity disappeared once they mated. This is likely to be related to female secretion of a sex pheromone. Males mated repeatedly throughout their lives. Females, if given a chance to mate, could mate multiply for 40 days after eclosion. However, in the field, females rarely remated because secretion of the pheromone was inhibited after the first mating.