Effects of delayed mating on the mating performance of Lasioderma serricorne

The effect of age at mating on the reproductive rate and longevity of the cigarette beetle, Lasioderma serricorne (Coleoptera: Anobiidae), a short-lived beetle, was determined in this study. The mating approach was disrupted by delaying the insects from mating for different time periods in days. Same age virgin male and female cigarette beetles were paired to mate soon after emergence (0 days old) or delayed from mating for 1–14 days. In another experiment, we maintained the age of the male at 0 days old and varied the age of the female from 0­–14 days old and vice versa. Insects were observed daily for longevity and F₁ progeny was recorded 7–10 weeks after set up.  Progeny production generally decreased with the age of adults at mating. Average developmental time, adult body size, and adult dry weight for F₁ and F₂ generations were estimated.  The number of F₁ progeny produced by same-age adults varied from 59 per female to 10 per female. Similarly, the number of progeny decreased the longer one of the sex was delayed from mating. Findings from this study may provide biological insights on mating disruption techniques and how they may be effective in keeping populations of L. serricorne below levels that would

minimize damages to stored commodities.