Influence of Polyandry on Clutch Size of the Predatory Coccinellid, Cryptolaemus montrouzieri (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae)
Abstract
The influence of different polyandrous situations on clutch size was determined in the predatory coccinellid, Cryptolaemus montrouzieri Mulsant, as a measure of female reproductive fitness. The study revealed that single female beetles each held with 3 mates under a continuous mating situation laid significantly more eggs (6.93/ day) than females each similarly held either with 2 males or with 1 male. However, correlation analysis revealed a highly significant negative correlation (r = -0.60**) between the progression of days and clutch size with 3 mates. The number of multiple matings and clutch size also decreased over time compared to other treatments. The implications of these results are discussed.View this article in BioOne
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