The pre-oviposition period is associated with ovary maturation in Cryptolaemus montrouzieri Mulsant, 1850 (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae)

Abstract

ABSTRACT The pre-oviposition period is critical in the development of reproductive organs in ladybirds, but there is little information about the main causes of this period. The pre-oviposition period in the ladybird Cryptolaemus montrouzieri was influenced by prey consumption, suggesting that there is a nutritional aspect from food intake that must affect ovary maturation after adult emergence. We also investigated whether feeding on non-prey food affects the maturation of ovaries. We have found that newly emerged females of C. montrouzieri have no developed ovary, and when feeding on adults of the mealybug Planococcus citri and in the absence of males, 5 days are required for full ovary development and egg maturation. Females feeding only on honey did not develop ovarioles even in 7 days. The ovarioles developed in each female on each side of the ovary is around 10 on a daily basis, with no significant difference between the left and the right side each day. On the fifth day, a great number of mature eggs were found, remaining constant on the following sixth day. Our results suggest that food quality, rather than just feeding, is a fundamental step to start the physiological chain that is responsible for the ovary development.