Intersterility and diapause differences between geographical populations of Teleogryllus commodus (Walker) (Orthoptera: Gryllidae).

Abstract

Sterile offspring were produced by crosses between strains of Teleogryllus commodus (Walker) from northern Australia (Queensland) and southern Australia (Victoria, Adelaide). If the northern and southern populations are not connected by a series of freely interbreeding populations, they must be recognized as distinct species. Embryonic diapause occurred in none of the eggs of the Queensland strain, and in different proportions of the eggs of the two southern strains, when incubated at 28ºC. After several generations of laboratory rearing the proportions of eggs that entered diapause at 28ºC decreased in both the southern strains.