Intermittent Oviposition and Remating in Ceraeochrysa cincta (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae)

Abstract

Ceraeochrysa cincta (Schneider) exhibited a cyclic pattern of reproduction that appears distinct among the Chrysopidae: (1) Females that were continuously paired with males for 60 d produced an average of 711 eggs in ≈4 regular, conspicuous bouts of oviposition that persisted ≈9 d each. The end of each oviposition bout was marked by a drastic decline in oviposition, followed by mating and an interbout period of 1-3 d with no oviposition. (2) During mating, males transferred a visible spermatophore that remained at the tip of the female's abdomen for ≈1 d; after the external spermatophore disappeared, the interbout period terminated and oviposition resumed. (3) Male presence significantly influenced the oviposition pattern. Females that were separated from males after 1 mating had only 1 oviposition bout of ≈11 d and laid relatively few eggs (mean = 203 eggs). Females, whose mates were removed and then returned at intervals of 8 d, remated and oviposited after each male reintroduction. (4) Interruptions in oviposition were characterized by depletion of sperm from the spermatheca, whereas resumption of oviposition was associated with remating and sperm replenishment. Our results indicate that C. cincta females require frequent, periodic remating to sustain fertile oviposition; it is highly probable that females in nature experience multiple matings (i.e., with different males). The above findings have direct implications for mass-rearing, field colonization, as well as conservation and manipulation of these predators for biological control.