Flight in the Vetch Aphid, Megoura viciae Buckton

Burns, Margaret (1971) Flight in the Vetch Aphid, Megoura viciae Buckton. PhD thesis, University of Glasgow.

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Abstract

1. The vetch aphid Megoura viciae Buckton was used to determine whether a previously proposed ontogenetic theory to explain migration in aphids was applicable to a species other than that used for the original formulation of the theory 2. The flight behaviour of M. viciae reared in different regimes of isolation and crowding was investigated. Crowding at time of adult moult and during the teneral period was found to cause a larger proportion of the alatae to fly than if alatae were isolated from other aphids at this time. Larval and maternal experience of crowding modify the response of the alatae to current conditions at the time of flight. 3. The condition of the indirect flight muscles of alatae which fly and alatae which do not fly was studied by light microscope methods. Non-flying alatae have intact wing muscles at least up to twelve hours after the adult moult. 4. Alatae which do not fly produce more larvae than those which do fly. A population of alatae which have not flown has a higher intrinsic rate of natural increase than a population of even the largest apterae. 5. Respiration rates reflect the rate of embryo development in apterae, fliers and non-fliers of M. viciae, rather than the presence or absence of flight muscles. 6. Plight in alatae of M. viciae inhibits the production of alate offspring. 7. It is concluded that there are both ontogenetic and immediate behavioural components of the flight behaviour of alatae of M. viciae. Alatae which do not fly are like apterae in all respects save the possession of wings.

Item Type: Thesis (PhD)
Qualification Level: Doctoral
Keywords: Zoology, Entomology
Date of Award: 1971
Depositing User: Enlighten Team
Unique ID: glathesis:1971-78582
Copyright: Copyright of this thesis is held by the author.
Date Deposited: 28 Feb 2020 12:09
Last Modified: 28 Feb 2020 12:09
URI: https://theses.gla.ac.uk/id/eprint/78582

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