Polyandry contributes to Gonipterus platensis (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) rearing

Loading...
Thumbnail Image

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.