Changes of the Density Optimum in the Ontogenesis of Larvae of the Siberian Moth Dendrolimus superans sibiricus (Lepidoptera, Lasiocampidae)

摘要

The optimal density of rearing of the Siberian moth Dendrolimus superans sibiricus Tschetvr. larvae changed during ontogenesis: larvae living in groups perform better in the Ist—4th instars, whereas solitary larvae, in the 6th instar. The main indices of feeding and growth in solitary larvae and larvae living in groups became equal in the 5th instar. Aggregation of larvae favored their survival rate in Ist-3rd instars and intensity of development in the 3rd—th instars due to the increase of ecological efficiency of the use of consumed and digested food for growth. The relative rale of food consumption and the index food of digestion did not depend on population density. The influence of population density on feeding indices and survival was revealed even when 3 larvae were maintained in a single chamber and did not change with the increase of the number of larvae up to 20 specimens.