MOULTING RHYTHM IN THE ALIENICOLAE OF APHIS FABAE SCOP. (HEMIPTERA: APHIDIDAE) IN THE FIELD

In a natural population of alienicolae of Aphis fabae Scop. on field beans in July 1952, the frequency of moulting of the last larval instar into the alate form was usually relatively high between about 04.00 and 08.00 hr. G.M.T. This high rate was followed by a decline to a lower fluctuating rate for the rest of the day. The moulting rate at night was usually very low. The high rate of moulting in the morning, just as the temperature is rising, may be due to acceleration of nymphal development which leads to a synchronization of moulting, much as teneral development of alatae, if accelerated, produces flight peaks during the day (Johnson, Taylor & Haine 1957): data on the relations of moulting and nymphal development to temperature are, however, insufficient for making a complete analysis along these lines. Changes in moulting rate during the rest of the day are correlated with temperature and with time, both independently. A rise of 1 degrees C. ambient temperature is associated with an 11.6 % rise in moulting rate : a fall of 1 degrees C. with a drop of 10.5 % and a lapse of 1 hr. in time by a 5.4 % drop in the rate. Sunshine and humidity show no simple correlation with moulting rate.