Voltinism
Voltinism is a term used in biology to indicate the number of broods or generations of an organism 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 or generation per year
- Bivoltine - (adjective) referring to organisms having two broods or generations per year
- Multivoltine - (adjective) referring to organisms having more than two broods or generations per year
- Semivoltine - (adjective) referring to organisms whose generation time is more than one year
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]
See also
References
- ^ 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]
- ^ 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]