Polyandry contributes to Gonipterus platensis (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) rearing
Loading...
Date
Authors
Ribeiro, Murilo F.
Cavallini, Gabriela
Solce, Gabriel N.
Favoreto, Ana L.
De Souza Passos, José R.
Hurley, Brett Phillip
Wilcken, C.F.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
PeerJ Inc.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Gonipterus platensis Marelli, 1926 (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) is one
of the main defoliating beetles in Eucalyptus plantations. Biological control with egg
parasitoids is one of the main control strategies for this pest and a constant supply of
fresh host eggs is required to rear the parasitoids. Polyandry can influence Gonipterus
oviposition by increasing female fecundity and fertility; however, the high density of
individuals in laboratory colonies can lead to male harassment, resulting in lower
reproduction rate. The aim of this study was to measure the effects of monoandry
and polyandry on the reproduction of G. platensis and the effects of male harassment
on laboratory rearing conditions.
METHODS: Reproductive parameters were compared between three treatments:
monoandry, where the female was allowed to mate daily with the same male; no
choice polyandry, where the female was allowed to mate daily with a different male;
and polyandry with choice, where the female was allowed to mate daily, but with a
choice between five different males. Another experiment varying the density of males
was conducted to evaluate the effect of male harassment.
RESULTS: Polyandry with choice resulted in the longest period of oviposition, highest
fecundity and highest number of eggs per egg capsules when compared to
monoandrous females. No negative effect related to male harassment in the
laboratory, such as decreased fertility, fecundity, or number of eggs per egg capsule,
was detected.
CONCLUSION: Polyandry contributes to mass rearing as it increases fecundity and
oviposition period on females and there is no evidence of male harassment on
G. platensis.
Description
DATA AVAILABILITY STATEMENT: The following information was supplied regarding data availability:
The raw measurements are available in the Supplemental Files.
Keywords
Entomology, Forestry, Fecundity, Fertility, Male harassment, Monogamy, Biological control, Forest entomology, Polyandry, Animal behavior, Eucalyptus snout-beetle (Gonipterus scutellatus), SDG-15: Life on land
Sustainable Development Goals
SDG-15:Life on land
Citation
Ribeiro, M.F., Cavallini, G., Solce, G.N., Favoreto, A.L., De Souza Passos, J.R., Hurley, B. & Wilcken, C.F. 2024. Polyandry contributes
to Gonipterus platensis (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) rearing. PeerJ 12:e17929 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.17929.