Manipulating mate-choice for a quantitative augmentation of a biological control agent, Coccinella transversalis Fabricius

Abstract

For food security and sustainable crop protection, it is a necessity to optimize the massrearing and augmentation of biocontrol agents of numerous aphid pests. Coccinellids, commonly known as ladybird beetles, are potential predators on several sucking pests and promising biocontrol agents. In the present investigation, laboratory experiments were performed to find out whether manipulation of mate choice in aphidophagous ladybird Coccinella transversalis Fabricius (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) under varying mating status could influence reproductive output in terms of high fecundity. It was found that the mating status under the mate choice highly affects mating duration and fecundity. The mating commenced earlier under the presence of different males than the females in an arena. The mating lasted for a longer duration between virgin females and multi-mated males than vice-versa. The bouts in copula increased with an increase in the mating status in both sexes. Females of multi-mated status were more fecund than the unmated females. Thus, the present study will be useful for the manipulation of quantitative mass-rearing of C. transversalis for the biocontrol of aphids and thereby enhancing crop productivity and sustainable crop protection.