International Journal of Tropical Insect Science (2005) 25, 96-102

Omkar and B.E. James (2005)
Reproductive behaviour of an aphidophagous ladybeetle Coccinella transversalis (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae)
International Journal of Tropical Insect Science 25 (2), 96-102
Abstract: The reproductive behaviour of an aphidophagous ladybeetle Coccinella transversalis Fabricius was studied. Males and females attained sexual maturity within 8.50±0.34 and 11.70±0.43 days, respectively. The ladybeetle mated 4-5 times a day. The mating duration and number of bouts (abdominal shakings) and units (sequential abdominal shakings during copulation) per bout decreased with increasing number of matings from the first to the fourth, while latent periods (time between genital contact and first abdominal shaking) and intervals (short rest between bouts) were the opposite. The mating duration, the number of bouts and units per bout were higher in unmated males copulating with virgin females than in previously mated pairs. Mate recognition by males may result from both chemical and visual cues. The maximum oviposition period, fecundity and egg hatchability were attained after repeated matings. During oviposition, the females preferred laying on the host plant Lagenaria vulgaris leaves to glass, plastic, cloth or paper. They preferred laying on a green substrate rather than on other colours.
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Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Omkar

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
biocontrol - natural enemies
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
general biology - morphology - evolution

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
Coccinella transversalis (predator)