INDUCTION OF DIAPAUSE IN THE MAIZE STEMBORER

Temperature has no significant effect in inducing diapause in B. fusca larvae. Lower temperature than the optimum, however, delayed larval growth but induced no diapause. Diapause in B. fusca was induced largely by the state of maturity and composition of food taken by the larvae. The incidence of diapausing larvae increased with the maturity of the food plants in which larvae were feeding. The carbohydrate, protein and water content o~ the type of food plants were prob,ably the critical elements associated with the induction of diapause. The occurrence of a facultative diapause in the maize stemborer, Busseola fusca Fuller (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae), has been repo,rted by Mally (1920), Swaine (1957), Smithers (1959), Harris (1962) and Usua (1970, 1972). Hitherto,, very little has been known of the nature of the diapause. This paper gives info,rmation on the role of temperature and food on the induction of the diapause of this insect. The role of photoperiodism is being investigated although preliminary works, indicate that it plays a minor role. METHODS AND MATERIALS