Opposing effects of heat stress on male versus female reproductive success in Bicyclus anynana butterflies

Abstract

In ectothermic organisms, reproductive success and survival are vitally affected by temperature. Here, we analyzed the effects of a short-time exposure to heat stress (1 h at 40 °C versus controls) on reproductive success and longevity in Bicyclus anynana butterflies. After having applied heat stress or a control treatment, individuals were mated in all four possible sexes by treatment combinations. Heat exposure of females caused a subsequent reduction in longevity, fecundity, egg size and concomitantly reproductive investment. Heat exposure of males also reduced longevity, but had in general little effect on the reproduction of female mates. However, females having mated with heat-stressed males showed surprisingly an increased rather than decreased early fecundity, which may indicate an increased investment in current reproduction in stressful environments. Heat stress had no significant effect on egg hatching success, time to copulation and copulation duration. Our results suggest that a short period of heat stress may substantially reduce longevity and reproductive output, with striking differences among sexes. We found no evidence for males being more strongly affected by heat stress than females.