Prolonged matings in a ladybird, Menochilus sexmaculatus: A mate guarding mechanism?
2015
Chaudhary, D.D., University of Lucknow, Lucknow, China | Mishra, G., University of Lucknow, Lucknow, China | Omkar., University of Lucknow, Lucknow, China
Occurrence of postcopulatory mate guarding behavior is common in those insects where males directly defend their partners from rival males, avoid sperm competition and thus increase their paternity success. However, this has not yet been evaluated in ladybirds (Coleoptera:Coccinellidae). In the present investigation,mate disruption studies were conducted to establish postcopulatory mate guarding behavior in a ladybird, Menochilus sexmaculatus (Fabricius). The laboratory findings affirmed the presence ofmate guarding in this ladybird species. Results revealed significant influence of mate guarding behavior on fecundity and egg viability of females. The findings of the present study revealed that an effective mating took a minimum duration of 2.50 min, and prior to which sexual activities of a male were not effective to fertilize the eggs of a female. The results further demonstrate that males improved their paternity with a mating duration of above 4.50 min, while fecundity increasedwith a mating duration of above 4.75min. Although fecundity increased continuouslywith an increase in mating duration from4.75 min to 30.00 min, the egg viability increasedwith amating duration of above 4.50 min and up to a duration of 10.00 min. For this reason, M. sexmaculatus males display postcopulatory mate guarding behavior after 30.00 min, andmate partners remaining in copula with themale riding on the female's back with his aedeagus inserted.
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