Does population density influence fluctuating asymmetry of Sitophilus oryzae laboratory populations?
- 1. BioSense Institute, University of Novi Sad, Dr Zorana Đinđi´ca 1, 21000, Novi Sad, Serbia
- 2. Institute of Field and Vegetable Crops, Maksima Gorkog 30, 21000, Novi Sad, Serbia
- 3. Department of Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Novi Sad, Trg Dositeja Obradovi´ca 3, 21000, Novi Sad, Serbia
Description
The rice weevil, Sitophilus oryzae, is one of the most pernicious pests of stored grain. It is a primary pest and
causes a reduction in weight, quality, seed viability and commercial value of various cereals. For this study, we
reared S. oryzae on wheat grains under two different adult densities, low and high, with an aim to assess the
influence of population density on fluctuating asymmetry of the adult’s ventral body. Fluctuating asymmetry
represents slight and random deviations from bilateral symmetry normally distributed around a 0 mean, and its
level is usually higher under a disturbed developmental process. Accordingly, we expected that environmental
stress caused by higher density would increase its level. Opposite to our hypothesis, the study showed that
population density did not influence fluctuating asymmetry of S. oryzae adults. Both experimental populations
exhibited a similar, non-significant level of fluctuating asymmetry.