Are the effects of hunger stage-specific? A case study in an aphidophagous ladybird beetle

Factors Influencing Copulation Duration in Dastarcus helophoroides (Fairmaire) (Coleoptera: Bothrideridae)

The gregarious ectoparasitic beetle Dastarcus helophoroides (Fairmaire) is considered a primary biocontrol agent for controlling several cerambycid pests in East Asian countries. A thorough study of reproductive behavior is a prerequisite for the mass production of natural insect predators. Nonetheless, little attention has been given to this ectoparasitic beetle. We performed a series of trials to assess whether the adult copulation duration, a key behavioral trait, is differentially influenced by physiological and ecological factors, including body size, mating history, kinship, sex ratio, mating sequence, feeding status, ambient temperature, photoperiod, and time of day. Additionally, the effect of the copulation duration on the reproductive output of this beetle was also investigated. The results indicated that the copulation duration varied considerably, ranging from 1.12 min to 16.40 min and lasting for an average of 9.11 ± 0.12 min. Females with longer copulations laid more eggs and had a greater proportion of eggs hatched. Medium-sized individuals copulated significantly longer than small- and large-sized individuals. The copulation durations were significantly longer when both sexes experienced an asymmetric mating history than when both sexes experienced a symmetric mating history. Inbred couples copulated significantly longer than outbred couples. In terms of the adult sex ratio, increasing the density of females (polygamous group) or males (polyandrous group) led to significantly longer copulation durations than those in the monogamous group. The copulation durations gradually decreased with increasing the mating sequence and temperature. Food-absence couples copulated significantly longer than food-presence couples. The mean copulation duration of the scotophase was significantly longer than that of the photophase. These results demonstrate that all of the analyzed factors emerge as important factors influencing the copulation duration, ultimately affecting the reproductive outputs in this ectoparasitic beetle.

Starvation and cadmium affect energy reserves and oxidative stress in individuals of Spodoptera exigua

Different factors, such as starvation and metal exposure, may affect development and cause oxidative stress in insects. Some host plants may contain a high concentration of cadmium due to their hyperaccumulating property. The negative effects of metals and hunger may be manifested by low availability of energetic substrates. This study aimed to assess whether the insect population with a history of long metal exposure may better manage metal stress or/and starvation at different developmental stages, with the use of energetic substrates. Two strains of Spodoptera exigua model organism were tested: control strain and cadmium strain (treated continuously for over 200 generations with subtoxic amounts of cadmium). The effects of different factors, individually and in combination, on the tested strains were assessed, first by determining the body weight of larvae and pupae and then by estimating the concentration of biomolecules (proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, or glycogen) in the 4th and 5th larval stages and in pupae, and the total antioxidant capacity and lipid peroxidation level in the 4th larval stage. Compared to control strain, cadmium strain individuals exhibited changes in the concentration of soluble carbohydrates and protein. This was partly related to earlier 1-day starvation. In particular, changes in carbohydrate concentration seemed to be a sensitive biomarker of metal stress, independent of the age of individuals and period of starvation. However, the increase in the total antioxidant capacity and the concentration of lipid peroxidation products in the 4th larval stage under the effect of cadmium was dependent on strain origin.

High Variability in Pre-Oviposition Time Independent of Diet Available at Eclosion: A key Reproductive Trait in the Ladybird Beetle Harmonia axyridis (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) in Its Native Range

While insect predators need high-quality food to reach sexual maturity and reproduce, starvation following adult eclosion may occur when prey are missing in agroecosystems. This study explores whether the type of diet available at eclosion determines the future fecundity of newly emerged adult predators. In a laboratory experiment, three different diets (i.e., flowers of Perilla frutescens (L.) Britton, eggs of Ephestia kuehniella Zeller as prey, or no food) were offered to adult females of the ladybird beetle Harmonia axyridis Pallas during their first three days after adult eclosion. On the fourth day, each female was paired with a prey-fed male and the pair was subsequently fed with prey. Diet at eclosion did not affect pre-oviposition time, the number of eggs oviposited daily, or the viability of egg batches. High variability in pre-oviposition time among females was observed for all diets. Significant negative linear relationships were found between pre-oviposition time and both the number of eggs oviposited daily and the viability of egg batches. This study clarifies that the food readily available at adult eclosion does not affect the capacity of H. axyridis to reproduce, provided that adults find prey within a few days. More generally, it shows that the reproductive traits of H. axyridis allow this generalist predator to be highly adapted to heterogenous environments in its native range. It is concluded that the variety of habitats offered by diversified agroecosystems may highly benefit the ladybird beetle H. axyridis, and potentially enhance its ability to biologically regulate crop pests.