Calling behavior of Thyrinteina arnobia (Stoll) (Lepidoptera: Geometridae) reared on Psidium guajava']java and Eucalyptus grandis host-plant leaves and on artificial diet

This work was carried out to determine and compare the effects of three diets (Psidium guajava and Eucalyptus grandis host-plant leaves and artificial diet) on the calling behavior and on the temporal pattern of calling behavior of Thyrinteina arnobia (Stoll). All activities of virgin females during six scotophases were observed in the laboratory at 5min. intervals until the females stopped calling in the following photophase, at 22 +/- 1degreesC, 70 +/- 5% RH and 10h scotophase. The diets affected the calling behavior of T arnobia. Two positions of calling were observed. Calling of female virgins started in the first hour immediately after emergence. The calling pattern was characteristic of the continuous pattern. The type of diet affected the mean onset of calling time (pre-calling) and the total time calling of T arnobia. Older females called earlier than younger after the onset of scotophase. The diets affected the color of pheromone gland.