Biparental mealybugs may be more promiscuous than we thought

Area of Science:

• Entomology
• Insect reproductive biology
• Pest management

Background:

• Understanding insect reproductive biology is crucial for effective pheromone-based pest management.
• Female multiple mating was recently suggested in mealybugs, a significant family of scale insects.
• The generality of this behavior across mealybug species needed investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate polygyny and polyandry in two cosmopolitan mealybug pests: Planococcus citri and Pseudococcus calceolariae.
• To determine the mating capacity of males and the mating behavior of females.
• To assess the impact of mating history and female multiple mating on fecundity and fertility.

Main Methods:

• Assessed male mating capacity over their lifespan.
• Investigated female receptivity and remating frequency post-first copula.
• Utilized static-air olfactometer tests to evaluate male mate choice.
• Analyzed the effects of male age/mating history and female multiple mating on fecundity and fertility.

Main Results:

• Males of P. citri and P. calceolariae mated an average of 11.9 and 13.3 females, respectively.
• Male mating success decreased with age/mating history; female fecundity was negatively affected by male age.
• Females remained receptive after the first mating, with some remating up to 24 hours later, but no fecundity benefit was observed.
• Males showed no preference for virgin versus mated females.

Conclusions:

• The mating system in these mealybugs appears to be scramble competition polygyny for males and polyandry for females.
• Female receptivity is restricted to a relatively short period.
• Female multiple mating offers no apparent advantage in terms of fecundity for these species.