Voltinism

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Voltinism is a term used in biology to indicate the number of broods or generations of an organisms in a year. The term is particularly in use in sericulture, where silkworm varieties vary in their voltinism.

  • Univoltine - (adjective) referring to organisms having one brood per year
  • Bivoltine - (adjective) referring to organisms having two broods per year
  • Multivoltine - (adjective) referring to organisms having more than two broods per year

[edit] Evolution

The number of breeding cycles in a year is under genetic control in many species[1] and they are evolved in response to the environment. Many phytophagous species which are dependent on seasonal plant resources are univoltine. These species also have the ability to diapause.[2]

[edit] References

  1. ^ Coates BS, Sumerford DV, and Hellmich RL. 2004. Geographic and voltinism differentiation among North American Ostrinia nubilalis (European corn borer) mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase haplotypes. 9pp. Journal of Insect Science, 4:35, Available online: [1]
  2. ^ Hunter, M.D. and J.N. McNeil. 1997 Host-plant quality influences diapause and voltinism in a polyphagous insect herbivore. Ecology 78: 977-986. [2]
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