Oviposition and refractory periods of the small water strider Microvelia horvathi (Heteroptera: Veliidae) after a single mating event

Abstract

Multiple mating can be costly, but also beneficial for females. When the costs outweigh the benefits, mated females can be reluctant to remate for some time. Conversely, females will be likely to remate when they need to replenish sperm and/or receive nutrients contained in the accessory ejaculate substances. Water striders have been commonly used in mating studies as many show a vigorous struggle between the sexes. Generally, water strider females frequently mate with many males and lay many eggs during mating period. However, little is known about their oviposition and refractory periods after an initial mating event. In this study, we revealed that single-mated females of the small water strider, Microvelia horvathi, could lay eggs for 40 days, reflecting approximately half of their potential oviposition periods. It suggested that M. horvathi females do not need to mate to replenish sperm for some time once they mate. Our results also showed that no female remated after 1 or 3 days of an initial mating event. The proportion of female remating increased with time after the initial mating, however, remating levels reached 26.7% even after 14 days. In this sense, any significant cost of mating outweighs the benefit, which might be one of the factors lowering their remating levels.

Life history traits and rearing protocol of <i>Microvelia pulchella</i> (Hemiptera: Veliidae): a potential biological control agent and model for behavioral and ecological studies

“…This study introduces a rearing protocol designed for the efficient mass production of M. pulchella, a species of broad-shouldered water strider. While previous studies have described methodologies for rearing M. pulchella (Nakasuji and Dyck 1984;Miura and Takahashi 1988;Sonoda et al 1992;Taylor and McPherson 1999;Taylor and McPherson 2003;Xiao and Tang 2007;Ditrich and Papáček 2010;Toubiana and Khila 2019;Matsushima et al 2021), these methodologies do not explicitly serve as comprehensive rearing protocols, resulting in certain knowledge gaps.…”

“…In addition to being a potential biological control agent (by regulating populations of pest species in the paddy rice agroecosystem), M. pulchella is a potential model species for laboratory and field experiments, according to the main characteristics of a model organism (Ankeny andLeonelli 2011, Russell et al 2017). For instance, different species within the genus Microvelia have been used for ethological studies Boukal 2016, Toubiana et al 2021), some of them focusing on mating (Travers and Sih 1991, Toubiana and Khila 2019, Matsushima et al 2021, Matsushima and Yokoi 2022, and predatory behaviour (Nakasuji and Dyck 1984, Miura and Takahashi 1988, Jackson and Walls 1998, Ohba et al 2011. Furthermore, Microvelia has served as a good model for population dynamics studies (Heong et al 1992, Ditrich andPapáček 2010), phenotypic plasticity (Muraji and Nakasuji 1988), and voltinism (Taylor and McPherson 1999).…”

“…In those previous studies, insects were reared in groups (Taylor and McPherson 1999) or individually (Ditrich and Papáček 2010). Also, the authors have used different containers for housing insects, including enamel pans (Miura and Takahashi 1988), aquariums (Ditrich and Papáček 2010), plastic jars, and Petri dishes (Nakasuji and Dyck 1984, Sonoda et al 1992, Taylor and McPherson 1999, Xiao and Tang 2007, Matsushima et al 2021. Similarly, the substrate used for oviposition and as a resting site included filter paper (Sonoda et al 1992, Matsushima et al 2021, cardboard paper strips, plastic disks McPherson 1999, 2003), rice leaf floats (Nakasuji and Dyck 1984), plastic foam (Miura and Takahashi 1988) and polystyrene pieces (Ditrich and Papáček 2010).…”

“…Also, the authors have used different containers for housing insects, including enamel pans (Miura and Takahashi 1988), aquariums (Ditrich and Papáček 2010), plastic jars, and Petri dishes (Nakasuji and Dyck 1984, Sonoda et al 1992, Taylor and McPherson 1999, Xiao and Tang 2007, Matsushima et al 2021. Similarly, the substrate used for oviposition and as a resting site included filter paper (Sonoda et al 1992, Matsushima et al 2021, cardboard paper strips, plastic disks McPherson 1999, 2003), rice leaf floats (Nakasuji and Dyck 1984), plastic foam (Miura and Takahashi 1988) and polystyrene pieces (Ditrich and Papáček 2010). Regarding the diet, some researchers used Drosophila melanogaster Meigen, 1830 (Diptera: Drosophilidae) (Sonoda et al 1992, Taylor andMcPherson 1999), S. furcifera (Xiao and Tang 2007), Lucilia cuprina (Wiedemann, 1830) (Diptera: Calliphoridae) (Matsushima et al 2021), or a combination of prey (Sonoda et al 1992).…”

“…The main objective of this study was to establish a comprehensive protocol, aimed at enhancing existing rearing methods (Nakasuji and Dyck 1984;Miura and Takahashi 1988;Sonoda et al 1992;Taylor and McPherson 1999;Taylor and McPherson 2003;Xiao and Tang 2007;Ditrich and Papáček 2010;Toubiana and Khila 2019;Matsushima et al 2021), for the large-scale production of these insects. Several factors motivated our focus on protocol development.…”