The effect of both male and female age was investigated on certain reproductive attributes, viz. mating incidence, mating duration, fecundity, percent egg viability, ratio of reproductive and non-reproductive periods ...The effect of both male and female age was investigated on certain reproductive attributes, viz. mating incidence, mating duration, fecundity, percent egg viability, ratio of reproductive and non-reproductive periods and reproductive rate, of an aphidophagous ladybird, Cheilomenes sexmaculata （Fabricius）. Females started mating at the age of 8 hours post-emergence （PE） and males at the age of 2 days PE. Mating in the laboratory was a maledominated phenomenon. The mating duration and reproductive rate of 10-day-old females when mated with males of varying ages increased up to the male age of 60 days, and thereafter decreased, whereas, fecundity, egg viability and ratio of reproductive and non-reproductive periods increased up to the male age of 50 days, and thereafter declined. However, when females of varying ages were mated with 10-day-old males, fecundity and reproductive rate increased up to 40 days of female age, respectively, then decreased. The ratio of reproductive and non-reproductive periods increased with increasing age of females. Mating age for optimal reproductive output was 10-50-day-old males and NE to 40-day-old females. Reproductive cessation in males was recorded after 50 days PE, whereas in females at the age of 40 days PE. Higher mating durations lead to elevated reproductive rates. Delay in the reproductive phase was positively correlated with longevity. The results of this study may aid mass multiplication of this ladybird by identifying and promoting usage of adults of optimal age, Our results also enhance our understanding of the effect of age on reproductive attributes in ladybirds.展开更多
Development, survival and reproductive performance of coexisting ladybird species, viz. Cheilomenes sexmaculata, Coccinella septempunctata, and Coccinella transversalis, of the tribe Coccinellini were studied and comp...Development, survival and reproductive performance of coexisting ladybird species, viz. Cheilomenes sexmaculata, Coccinella septempunctata, and Coccinella transversalis, of the tribe Coccinellini were studied and compared to assess their coexistence and ecological relationships. High values of life history parameters, viz. developmental rate,immature survival, fecundity, egg viability, reproductive rate and conversion of efficiency of ingested food were recorded for C. sexmaculata followed by C. transversalis and C.septempunctata suggesting that the former has intrinsic advantages over the latter two species. This could possibly counterbalance its disadvantages, like relatively smaller size and weight, thereby making it competitive. The developmental period increased with increase in body size. Exceptionally high fecundity after single mating has been recorded in C. sexmaculata. The egg viability, however, was lower than in both Coccinella species.展开更多
文摘The effect of both male and female age was investigated on certain reproductive attributes, viz. mating incidence, mating duration, fecundity, percent egg viability, ratio of reproductive and non-reproductive periods and reproductive rate, of an aphidophagous ladybird, Cheilomenes sexmaculata （Fabricius）. Females started mating at the age of 8 hours post-emergence （PE） and males at the age of 2 days PE. Mating in the laboratory was a maledominated phenomenon. The mating duration and reproductive rate of 10-day-old females when mated with males of varying ages increased up to the male age of 60 days, and thereafter decreased, whereas, fecundity, egg viability and ratio of reproductive and non-reproductive periods increased up to the male age of 50 days, and thereafter declined. However, when females of varying ages were mated with 10-day-old males, fecundity and reproductive rate increased up to 40 days of female age, respectively, then decreased. The ratio of reproductive and non-reproductive periods increased with increasing age of females. Mating age for optimal reproductive output was 10-50-day-old males and NE to 40-day-old females. Reproductive cessation in males was recorded after 50 days PE, whereas in females at the age of 40 days PE. Higher mating durations lead to elevated reproductive rates. Delay in the reproductive phase was positively correlated with longevity. The results of this study may aid mass multiplication of this ladybird by identifying and promoting usage of adults of optimal age, Our results also enhance our understanding of the effect of age on reproductive attributes in ladybirds.
文摘Development, survival and reproductive performance of coexisting ladybird species, viz. Cheilomenes sexmaculata, Coccinella septempunctata, and Coccinella transversalis, of the tribe Coccinellini were studied and compared to assess their coexistence and ecological relationships. High values of life history parameters, viz. developmental rate,immature survival, fecundity, egg viability, reproductive rate and conversion of efficiency of ingested food were recorded for C. sexmaculata followed by C. transversalis and C.septempunctata suggesting that the former has intrinsic advantages over the latter two species. This could possibly counterbalance its disadvantages, like relatively smaller size and weight, thereby making it competitive. The developmental period increased with increase in body size. Exceptionally high fecundity after single mating has been recorded in C. sexmaculata. The egg viability, however, was lower than in both Coccinella species.
