Conspecific neighbors and kinship influence egg cannibalism in the green lacewing, Chrysoperla carnea (Stephens)

Abstract

Background Chrysoperla carnea (Stephens) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) is an illustrious predator that performs cannibalism upon facing small and defenseless conspecifics. Eating preference of C. carnea larvae was investigated between conspecific and host (Sitotroga cerealella) eggs. Early instars of C. carnea express significant preference toward conspecific eggs over host eggs. Experiments were carried out to examine the role of conspecific neighbors in execution of cannibalistic decision. These cannibalistic behaviors of larvae were also investigated through locomotion bioassays using the video tracking software ANY-maze®. Results Larvae commit low egg cannibalism when alone but express higher cannibalism in the presence of conspecific larvae in the neighborhood. The role of relatedness in egg cannibalism was investigated when larvae were offered a choice between conspecific eggs from related and unrelated parents. Larvae did a discrimination between eggs of their own parents and those of other parents. Conclusion Behavioral bioassays showed attraction toward conspecific eggs and the eggs of unrelated parents. This study emphasizes the significance of informational and descriptive cues that modulate the cannibalistic expression in C. carnea.

Effect of victim relatedness on cannibalistic behaviour of ladybird beetle,Menochilus sexmaculatusFabricius (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae)

“…More recently, Sohail et al . (2021) studied the cannibalistic expression of larval instar in green lacewing, Chrysoperla carnea Stephens (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) towards related and unrelated conspecific eggs and reported that the larvae were more cannibalistic towards unrelated conspecific eggs and the rate of cannibalism increased in presence of conspecifics in the vicinity (Sohail et al ., 2021). Also, adult Drosophila melanogaster Meigen is reported to have kin-recognition abilities based on specific cues associated with gut microbiome (Lewis et al ., 2014; Lize et al ., 2014; Carazo et al ., 2015).…”

“…Studies in desert isopods (Hemilepistus reaumuri Audouin and Savigny), paper wasps (Ropalidia marginata Lepeletier), and honeybees (Apis mellifera Linnaeus) have reported that they may use phenotypic cues or labels for discrimination between sibling and non-sibling conspecifics. More recently, Sohail et al (2021) studied the cannibalistic expression of larval instar in green lacewing, Chrysoperla carnea Stephens (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) towards related and unrelated conspecific eggs and reported that the larvae were more cannibalistic towards unrelated conspecific eggs and the rate of cannibalism increased in presence of conspecifics in the vicinity (Sohail et al, 2021). Also, adult Drosophila melanogaster Meigen is reported to have kin-recognition abilities based on specific cues associated with gut microbiome (Lewis et al, 2014;Lize et al, 2014;Carazo et al, 2015).…”