Abstract
AbstractOperational sex ratio and paternal age are known to independently affect mating behaviour and reproductive performance. We conducted experiments to assess the effects of operational sex ratio and paternal age on mating, reproduction, and total development duration of Menochilus sexmaculatus (Fabricius) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae). Three male-biased sex ratios, no (1:1), modest (1:2), and extreme (1:5) competition treatments, were formed using young, middle-aged, and old males. The reproductive performance of M. sexmaculatus at all ages under extreme competition (1:5) surpassed the other two treatments. More competition among males decreased the time of commencement of mating and increased the duration of copulation. Females laid a greater number of eggs in extreme competition treatments. The operational sex ratio (irrespective of age) had no significant effect on the total developmental duration of offspring. Among different age groups, older males took more time to commence mating and mated for longer durations in all the sex ratio treatments. The number of eggs in the first clutch was lowest when females were mated with older males with increased offspring development duration. Thus, it can be concluded that male-biased sex ratio elevates the performance of M. sexmaculatus. Among different age groups, older males were poor performers than young and middle-aged males.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
