Food Plasticity for Mating and Reproductive Success in Propylea dissecta (Mulsant) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae)

Food supply at each life stage is of prime importance that determines the organism’s fitness and also influences individual’s reproductive performance and development. In this contest, we assessed the interactive effect of both larval and adult food regimes in Propylea dissecta (Mulsant) individuals. For this, egg batches were randomly selected and hatched larvae (larval diet) were reared into two food regimes, abundant (A) and scarce (S) till pupation. Post-emergence (adult stage) the ladybird beetles of each food regime were divided into two groups, abundant and scarce and at the age of 10 days adults were paired in all possible combinations. The results showed that individuals that were reared on abundant food mated for longer and showed higher reproductive output than other individuals. The adults provided with scarce and abundant food regime both irrespective of life stages showed similar mating durations and reproductive output. Food supply at larval and adult stages in both sexes plays important role in determining the reproductive success.