Effect of age on reproductive attributes of an aphidophagous ladybird, Cheilomenes sexmaculata

作     者：OMKAR SATYENDRA K. SINGH KALPANA SINGH 

作者机构：Ladybird Research Laboratory Department of Zoology University of Lucknow Lucknow India 

出 版 物：《Insect Science》 (昆虫科学（英文版）)

年 卷 期：2006年第13卷第4期

页      面：301-308页

核心收录：

学科分类：0710[理学-生物学] 0830[工学-环境科学与工程（可授工学、理学、农学学位）] 07[理学] 09[农学] 0904[农学-植物保护] 0901[农学-作物学] 0713[理学-生态学] 

主　　题：age Cheilomenes sexmaculata egg viability fecundity ladybird longevity,protogyny reproduction reproductive rate 

摘      要：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.