Abstract: 【Aim】 This study aims to explore the potential impacts of heavy metal nickel (Ni²⁺) in polluted farmlands on herbivorous insects. 【Methods】 Neonate larvae of the Asian corn borer (ACB), Ostrinia furnacalis (Guenée), were fed with the artificial diet containing heavy metal Ni²⁺ at different concentrations (1, 5, 10, 15 and 20 mg/kg) or without any heavy metal (as the control) under laboratory conditions. The parameters of development and reproductive behaviors were systematically investigated. 【Results】 Heavy metal Ni²⁺ exhibited inhibitory effects on the larval and pupal duration, pupation rate and emergence rate of O. furnacalis. However, Ni²⁺ promoted the female pupal weight, and this promoting effect gradually decreased with the increasing Ni²⁺ concentrations. The pupal weight of male larvae exposed to the low concentrations of Ni²⁺ (1-10 mg/kg) was higher than that of the control, while the pupal weight of male larvae exposed to the high concentrations of Ni²⁺ (15-20 mg/kg) was lower than that of the control. The average calling duration of female adults gradually declined with the Ni²⁺ concentration. The calling rate of female adults exposed to Ni²⁺ and their calling peak time were basically similar to those of the control group, but were affected by the four higher concentrations. In the treatments of the four higher concentrations, the calling peak time appeared earlier and the highest calling rate of female adults was less than 100%. Ni²⁺ at the concentration of 5 mg/kg had the promoting effectson the orientation behavior of male adults, while the remaining four concentrations of Ni²⁺exhibited the inhibitory effects. All the concentrations of Ni²⁺ showed the significantly inhibitory effects on the ovipostion and egg hatchability of O. furnacalis. 【Conclusion】 The development and reproductive behaviors of O. furnacalis are affected by the heavy metal Ni²⁺, and there exists a dose-response relationship that the partial indicator parameters change with the increasing Ni²⁺concentrations (except 5 mg/kg).

Key words: Ostrinia furnacalis, heavy metal, Ni²⁺, development, calling behavior, orientation behavior, fecundity, egg hatchability