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. 2008:8:1.
doi: 10.1673/031.008.0101.

Life history, aggregation and dormancy of the rubber plantation litter beetle, Luprops tristis, from the rubber plantations of moist south Western Ghats

Thomas K Sabu  1 , K V Vinod, M C Jobi
Affiliations

Life history, aggregation and dormancy of the rubber plantation litter beetle, Luprops tristis, from the rubber plantations of moist south Western Ghats

Thomas K Sabu et al. J Insect Sci. 2008.

Abstract

Life history, aggregation and dormancy of rubber plantation litter beetle Luprops tristis Fabricius, (Tenebrionidae: Coleoptera) is described from rubber plantation belts in the western slopes of Western Ghats from the south Indian state of Kerala. The life cycle lasted 12 months, including the 5 larval instars lasting 1 month, the 3 day pupal stage, and the adult stage that can last 11 months. The adult stage includes an inactive dormancy phase of 9 months in shelters and 1 month each of active pre-dormancy (feeding) and post-dormancy (feeding and reproduction) phases that occur in rubber plantation litter. Reproductive activities are confined to the post-dormancy phase. With the onset of summer rains, huge aggregations of adults invade residential buildings and enter into a state of dormancy for 9 months. Beetle aggregations were in the range of 0.5 million to 4.5 million individuals per residential building. Dormancy in L. tristis is best classified as oligopause, which is intermediate between quiescence and diapause. Adults and larvae feed preferentially on wilted rubber tree leaves. Age-specific variation in mortality during dormancy is distinct with higher survivability for adults that have a longer pre-dormancy period. Generations are non-overlapping.

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Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Rubber plantation tracts in the western slopes of south Western Ghats in south India.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Natural aggregation of L. tristis below boulders.
Figure 3.
Figure 3.
Early developmental stages of Luprops (a) egg mass (b) 1st instar larva (c) 2nd instar (d) 3rd instar (e) 4th instar (f) 5th instar (g) pupa and (h) teneral adult.
Figure 4.
Figure 4.
Life cycle and duration of developmental stages in laboratory setup.
Figure 5.
Figure 5.
Egg hatching (a), eclosion of larva (b), pupa (c), and teneral adult (d).
Figure 6.
Figure 6.
Cluster of Vth instar larvae in a quiescent state prior to pupation and newly emerged pupae in the litter floor of rubber plantation.
Figure 7.
Figure 7.
Aggregated dormant beetles settled on the wall and gaps of a residential building.
Figure 8.
Figure 8.
Aggregated dormant beetles settled on (a) wooden frames of tile roofed buildings (b) thatched sheds made of coconut fronds and (c) hay stack in cattle shed.
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