Age specific mating incidence and reproductive behavior of the ladybird beetle, Anegleis cardoni (Weise) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae)

Abstract

Age specific mating incidence, mating behavior, mate recognition cues and effect of sexual status on mating of ladybird beetle, Anegleis cardoni (Weise) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) were studied in detail. The mating duration was very short (14.40±0.72min) in comparison to other ladybirds. Courtship was male dominated and was displayed in steps, viz. approach, watch, examine, sharp turns, mount, attempt and mate. Sharp turns is an additional behavior observed during courtship in this ladybird, and is characterized by sharp turning movements towards the mate, and is undertaken by both males and females. Active mating of A. cardoni involved multiple strokes of the aedeagus. Mating duration and the number of strokes were higher in unmated males than in mated ones. Results reveal that physical cues probably play a role in the initiation of courtship, while chemical signals are probably involved in the continuation of courtship, culminating in intromission. The removal of male antennae and obscurity of elytral patterns significantly decreased mating success, whereas female antennal ablation and obscuring of the pronotum did not affect mate recognition.