Effects of Female Size, Mate Size, and Number of Copulations on Fecundity, Fertility, and Longevity of Nezara viridula (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae)

Abstract

For once-mated female Nezara viridula L., size (width across the pronotum at the humeral angles) was positively correlated with fecundity (total lifetime egg production), size of the largest egg mass (number of eggs), and longevity (days as adult). Mate size was positively correlated with fecundity since females mating larger males lived longer and laid egg masses at a higher rate. Females mating larger males were less likely to lay infertile egg masses (all eggs unfertilized). Mate effects suggest size-dependent sperm and nutrient transfer to the female during copulation or reduced risk of contagion for females mating larger males. For multiply mated females, fecundity was positively correlated with both longevity and the number of matings. Thus, in the wild, females may be selected to mate with larger males and to mate repeatedly, patterns observed in previous field studies.