Mate choice and reproductive success of two morphs of the seven spotted ladybird, Coccinella septempunctata (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae)

Abstract

Abstract. Mate choice, reproductive success and fecundity of typical and melanic morphs of C. septempunctata were studied. Melanic as well as typical individuals preferred to mate with melanic males and females. Mate choice was mainly determined by females and to a lesser degree by males. Mating duration, oviposition period, and lifetime fecundity were highest (51.20 ± 2.82 min, 47.00 ± 2.79 days and 705.40 ± 69.85 eggs) when a melanic female mated with a melanic male and lowest (38.94 ± 1.68 min, 26.10 ± 2.54 days, 395.9 ± 36.25 eggs) when a typical female mated with a typical male. Longevity of both sexes of melanics was higher than of typicals. The fecundity function of both morphs was triangular but the daily oviposition was irregular. In melanic and typical females the peak oviposition (66.40 eggs/day and 48.30 eggs/day) occurred on the 23 rd and 14 th day of the oviposition period, respectively. Oviposition peaked earlier in typical females, but peak oviposition was higher and the oviposition period longer in melanic females. The higher reproductive success of melanics may favour this morph over typicals.

Effect of egg cannibalism on mating preferences and reproductive fitness of Menochilus sexmaculatus Fabricius (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae)

“…Also, multiple studies on pre-and post-copulatory sexual selection have been conducted on this ladybird. Ladybird beetles are known to show non-random mate preferences based on morph (Saeki et al, 2005;Srivastava and Omkar, 2005;Bista and Omkar, 2015), size (Brown, 1990a, b), food conditions (Ueno et al, 1998;Dubey, 2016) and age (Pervez et al, 2004;Srivastava and Omkar, 2004;Omkar and Singh, 2010).…”

Seasonal cycles of assortative mating and reproductive behaviour in polymorphic populations ofHarmonia axyridisin China

“…Bezzerides et al (2007) showed that alkaloids concentrations in H. axyridis were negatively correlated with the size and intensity of melanic spots, particularly in females, and concluded that non-melanics were better chemically defended. Srivastava and Omkar (2005) studied a melanic morph of Coccinella septempunctata L. and found that melanism was associated with increased longevity, fecundity, and mate preference in this species, despite the relative rarity of melanics in the field. Srivastava and Omkar (2005) studied a melanic morph of Coccinella septempunctata L. and found that melanism was associated with increased longevity, fecundity, and mate preference in this species, despite the relative rarity of melanics in the field.…”

“…True (2003) discussed insect melanism in the context of other life history traits, and suggested molecular mechanisms operating at the level of either gene regulation or protein coding could lead to pleiotropic effects on other traits with important biological functions. Srivastava and Omkar (2005) studied a melanic morph of Coccinella septempunctata L. and found that melanism was associated with increased longevity, fecundity, and mate preference in this species, despite the relative rarity of melanics in the field. Similarly, Berkvens et al (2007) measured differences in performance between melanic and succinic phenotypes of H. axyridis , and concluded that the latter had greater nutritional plasticity.…”

Yellow mutant of the Neotropical green lacewing Chrysoperla externa: trait inheritance and predator performance

“…Data for other species indicate that variation in color, such as melanic morphs in Coccinella septempunctata (L.) and Menochilus sexmaculatus (Fabricius), is associated with faster development of immatures and greater fecundity and longevity of adults (Srivastava & Omkar, 2005;Dubey et al, 2016). Under similar conditions and prey availability in the field, yellow individuals of C. externa could behave similar to green ones, but other differences associated with abiotic and biotic factors that influence the field performance, such as dispersal ability or protective camouflage, cannot be ruled out.…”

“…Under similar conditions and prey availability in the field, yellow individuals of C. externa could behave similar to green ones, but other differences associated with abiotic and biotic factors that influence the field performance, such as dispersal ability or protective camouflage, cannot be ruled out. Data for other species indicate that variation in color, such as melanic morphs in Coccinella septempunctata (L.) and Menochilus sexmaculatus (Fabricius), is associated with faster development of immatures and greater fecundity and longevity of adults (Srivastava & Omkar, 2005;Dubey et al, 2016). On the other hand, melanic morphs of Chrysomela lapponica (L.) and Helicoverpa armigera (H€ ubner) exhibited lower fecundity compared to individuals of standard color (Ma et al, 2008;Zverev et al, 2018).…”