The Effect of Feeding on the Subsequent Starvation Longevity in Post-Hibernating Cletus punctiger : Heteroptera : Coreidae

Abstract

Starvation longevity of post-hibernating Cletus punctiger adults collected in the field at various times was investigated to determine how these adults tide over the period from June through July when food is in short supply because spring food plants are disappearing and adequate summer food plants are not yet available. Half of the bugs tested survived till mid-June without taking any nourishing food after hibernation. In bugs collected before June, those fed spring food plants longer (the better fed bugs), had greater longevity when starved. To survive the food shortage period, post-hibernating adults seem to accumulate lipid as much as possible by feeding on nourishing spring food plants.