A Simple Character for Sex Differentiation of Pupae and Pupil Exuviae of the Dogwood Borer (Lepidoptera: Sesiidae)

Authors

Tracy C. Leskey, USDA-ARSFollow
J. Christopher Bergh, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and University

Document Type

Article

Date of this Version

2003

Comments

Published in Florida Entomologist 86(3).

Abstract

The sex of dogwood borer pupae and pupal exuviae can be easily differentiated based on characteristics of the fused terminal abdominal segment. In males, it is composed of segments 8- 10 and has three distinct rows of posteriorly projecting spines. By contrast, in females, the fused terminal abdominal segment is composed of segments 7-10 and has four distinct rows of posteriorly projecting spines.