Costs and benefits of reproduction in predaceous ladybird: Effect of multiple matings on reproduction and offspring development

A few matings are sufficient for females to maximize their reproductive success, while male fitness usually increases with an increase in the number of matings. However, females of a majority of insects mate multiple times. This presents an evolutionary puzzle and brings an understanding that some benefits are associated with it. Therefore, to understand the costs and benefits of multiple matings, we performed an experimental study in a ladybird beetle, Anegleis cardoni and observed reproductive performance and longevity of adults as direct benefits and offspring development and survival as indirect benefits. This is the first time that the effect of multiple matings is being evaluated on offspring development and survival in a ladybird beetle. Results clearly reveal that females directly benefit from multiple matings in terms of increased lifetime fecundity and egg viability, but their longevity decreases with increased number of matings. Best-fit curves on lifetime fecundity and percent egg viability revealed that maximum fecundity and egg viability were both attained after 17 matings. Developmental duration of offspring decreased and their survival increased with an increase in number of matings. Developmental duration was shortest after 20 matings and longest after a single mating.

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► Subtle costs and benefits of number of matings were comprehended in A. cardoni.
► Benefits of multiple matings are increase in fecundity and egg viability.
► Decrease in offspring developmental duration.
► Costs associated with multiple mating is decrease in adult longevities.
► 17 matings are the optimal number of matings for both the sexes.