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More eggs are not more sires: long-term monogamy reduces fertility in a predatory ladybird

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  08 January 2025

Gabriela Streppel Steindorff Open the ORCID record for Gabriela Streppel Steindorff [Opens in a new window]  and
Wendel José Teles Pontes Open the ORCID record for Wendel José Teles Pontes [Opens in a new window]
Gabriela Streppel Steindorff*
Affiliation:
Laboratório de Entomologia Aplicada, Departamento de Zoologia, Centro de Biociências, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife, PE, Brasil Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Animal, Centro de Biociências, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife, PE, Brasil
Wendel José Teles Pontes
Affiliation:
Laboratório de Entomologia Aplicada, Departamento de Zoologia, Centro de Biociências, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife, PE, Brasil
*
Corresponding author: Gabriela Streppel Steindorff; Email: gabriela.steindorff@ufpe.br
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Abstract

Multiple mating is a behaviour observed across various polyandrous insect species. It is suggested that, in ladybirds, this strategy of multiple copulations is used to enhance fecundity and fertility through sperm replenishment. Studies on sperm depletion need to correlate fertility with the presence of spermatozoa in the spermatheca. This study investigates the role of sperm replenishment in the ladybird Cryptolaemus montrouzieri. We hypothesised that females of this species exhibit fecundity and fertility rates proportional to the number of sperm replenishment opportunities (constant, periodic or absent). We observed oviposition behaviour and hatching rates over 30 days, and simultaneously tested for sperm depletion in females that copulated once. We dissected the spermathecae at four post-copulation moments to count spermatozoa under a microscope. Our results indicate that a single copulation suffices to maintain fertility for at least 30 days. Females with constant replenishment opportunities exhibited higher fecundity but lower fertility and increased mortality, suggesting a reproductive cost associated with frequent mating. Females with no replenishment during the experiment, exhibited the highest hatchability rate and lowest oviposition. Periodic copulation resulted in optimal female mating rate, with average fertility and fecundity. A plausible hypothesis would be that paired females choose to fertilise fewer eggs from a single male but are unable to control the effects of the oviposition stimulus induced by the male's presence. These findings have implications for the management and rearing of C. montrouzieri in biological control programmes, optimizing mating strategies for mass production.

Keywords

biological controlCoccinellidaeCryptolaemusmultiple matingovipositionsperm replacement
Type
Research Paper
Information
Bulletin of Entomological Research , First View , pp. 1 - 8
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Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s), 2025. Published by Cambridge University Press

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