Some diapause characteristics and interfertility of three geographic populations of Teleogryllus commodus (Walk.) (Orthoptera: Gryllidae).

Abstract

Cultures of three geographic populations of Teleogryllus commodus (Walk.) were established from crickets collected at the approximate latitudes of 19,27, and 37° S. in eastern Australia. Eggs of the crickets from latitude 19°S showed no evidence of diapause at any of the series of temperatures between 12 and 30°C. The other two populations had the capacity to diapause at the egg stage; those from latitude 27° S. showed a greater tendency for diapause to be averted at high temperatures. All three populations interbred freely producing viable eggs. The non-diapausing characteristic proved to be dominant over the diapausing. When the two populations possessing diapause were crossed, the F1 generation was fertile, but when either of the diapausing populations was crossed with the nondiapausing population, then the F1 generation proved to be sterile.