Reproductive behavior of the female carob moth, (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)

Periodicities of the female reproductive behavior of the carob moth, Ectomyelois ceratoniae (Zeller), were investigated in regard to calling, mating, and oviposition. Under varying photoperiods (16:8, 14:10, 12:12 L:D h), female carob moths initiated calling about the midpoint of the scotophase to which they were entrained resulting in a shift to later mean initiation times as the nocturnal period lengthened. Matings were initiated during the fifth and sixth h of scotophase in a 16:8 L:D h light regime; this corresponded with the calling periodicity. Carob moth females laid significantly more eggs in the first hour of scotophase (16:8 L:D h) than in any other hour, after which oviposition declined significantly. Oviposition was greatest from the third through sixth scotophase after which it decreased. Oviposition periodicity was developed by the third scotophase, and peaked during the fourth.