Experimental studies of migration in bugs of the genus Dysdercus

Using a tethered flight technique, migration was studied in the African cotton stainer bugs Dysdercus fasciatus Sign., D. nigrofasciatus Stål, and D. superstitiosus (F.) (Heteroptera: Pyrrhocoridae). The flight system of males of all three species matures in 4-6 days post-eclosion, and flight can continue throughout life. Fed females of D. fasciatus do not fly, but rather histolyse the flight muscles and develop oocytes. Fed females of D. nigrofasciatus and D. superstitiosus exhibit some flight at 4 days post-eclosion, but flight is essentially absent at 6 days when flight muscle histolysis and oögenesis are in progress. Starved females of all three species undertake considerable flight and do not histolyse the flight muscles or develop oöcytes. In starved pairs coupling frequency is lowered permitting increased migration. The three species are thus facultative migrants using starvation as a releasing cue. D. fasciatus feeds on baobab (Adansonia) fruits which are seasonally abundant and is the most opportunistic species with the highest reproductive potential and no flight in the presence of food. D. nigrofasciatus feeds on a variety of herbaceous annuals and perennials; it follows an intermediate migration and reproductive strategy. Finally D. superstitiosus is the most catholic in its food habits and has the lowest reproductive potential. Both of the latter species retain some flight capacity even when fed, presumably so that individuals can locate suitable host plants.