A weak tendency to “obligatory” diapause inCoccinella septempunctata from southern Spain

Abstract

Diapausing adults ofC. septempunctata were collected in November from hibernation quarters in the mountains Sierra de Grazalema in southern Spain. In their progeny, the incidence of non-ovipositing females under long day of 20L∶4D and 25°C was 24%. Thus the tendency to an “obligatory” onset of diapause was much lower than in populations from central Europe and France. The progeny appeared neutral to photoperiod, as a similar low incidence of diapause was also obtained at short day of 12L∶12D and 25°C.