Assessing Male Asian Corn Borer, Ostrinia furnacalis (Guenée) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae), Mating Frequency via Spermatophore Quantification

Authors

• Gelyn D. Sapin, Institute of Weed Science, Entomology and Plant Pathology, College of Agriculture and Food Science, University of the Philippines Los Baños, College 4031 Laguna, PhilippinesFollow
• Marcela M. Navasero, National Crop Protection Center, College of Agriculture and Food Science, University of the Philippines Los Baños, College 4031 Laguna, Philippines

Publication Date

12-1-2025

Abstract

The Asian corn borer (ACB), Ostrinia furnacalis (Guenée), has caused significant yield losses to corn due to its destructive feeding. Bt corn currently controls ACB, but it still poses a threat to Philippine traditional varieties. Random mating of ACB is essential to the insect resistance management (IRM) of Bt corn, and studying the mating behavior, specifically the mating frequency of ACB, is a critical part of understanding the IRM in the Philippines. Currently, there is no available information on the mating frequency of ACB. Here, the male and female ACB were allowed to mate at a ratio of 1 male to 2 females and 1 male to 3 females. The females were replaced daily until the male ACB died. The reciprocal mating was conducted in which 1 female was confined with either 2 or 3 males. The mating frequency of ACB was based on the number of spermatophores in the ACB female’s bursa copulatrix and spermatheca. Our results revealed that both male and female ACB can mate multiple times. Both sexes induced multiple mating with an increasing number of mates. The male ACB exhibited an average mating frequency of 5.313 times with two females and 6.733 times with three females throughout its adulthood. The majority of males can mate only once per night, with 29.49% and 31.80% exposed to 2 and 3 females, respectively. We observed no statistically significant difference in average male mating frequency across pairing nights. Hence, male ACB is expected to mate regardless of its age. The male ACB reached an average longevity of 11 days and 10.57 days when exposed to 2 and 3 females, respectively. Concurrently, the majority of the female ACBs can mate twice in a single night. This can be seen in the presence of spermatophores in the bursa copulatrix and the spermatheca. The results from the study could be useful in designing the insect resistance management of ACB to Bt corn in the Philippines.

Recommended Citation

Sapin, Gelyn D. and Navasero, Marcela M. (2025) "Assessing Male Asian Corn Borer, Ostrinia furnacalis (Guenée) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae), Mating Frequency via Spermatophore Quantification," The Philippine Agricultural Scientist: Vol. 108: No. 5, Article 4.
Available at: https://www.ukdr.uplb.edu.ph/pas/vol108/iss5/4