Polyandry and trade-off between fecundity and longevity in female Dichelops furcatus (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae)

Abstract

A trade-off is a relationship between two life history characteristics principally reproduction and adult longevity that are fundamental in predicting the optimal life history in any given environment. Mating is indispensable for sexual reproduction, but also can impose risks to females. Nevertheless, in the majority of insects, females allow multiple mating. Dichelops furcatus (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) is a pest of wheat and corn in Argentina and southern Brazil, but little is known about its reproduction (i.e., the characteristics of the process that results in offspring). We analyzed reproductive attributes of D. furcatus, and the effect of single mating vs. multiple matings, evaluating the trade-off between fecundity and adult female longevity. We found that mating is not required for D. furcatus to oviposit, and multiple copulations were costly in terms of reduced longevity. Although multicopulated females lived a shorter period, only the pre- and post-reproductive periods were shortened. Fecundity was not affected but fertility was incremented in multicopulated females. Females copulated only once oviposited most of the eggs in the first half of the reproductive period, while eggs oviposited in the second half were all inviable (did not hatch). Studying demographic attributes of phytophagous insects provides relevant information to better understand the population dynamics of pests.

Effects of Different Temperatures on the Development and Reproduction of Sitobion miscanthi From Six Different Regions in China

“…On the basis of the law of conservation of energy, we speculate that the shorter developmental period in the northern populations led to their advantages in fecundity. The tradeoff is the negative correlation between these two life history of development duration and fecundity (Cingolani et al, 2019). Multiple mating increased reproduction in Edessa meditabunda (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), and the cost of increasing fecundity was the reduction of longevity (Guerra and Pollack, 2007;Silva et al, 2012).…”

The stink bug Dichelops furcatus: a new pest of corn that emerges from soybean stubble

“…Current information suggests that D. furcatus (Hemiptera; Pentatomidae) is abundant in the south of Brazil, including the southern regions of Rio Grande do Sul, Santa Catarina and Paraná, 21 while in Argentina is more frequent in temperate regions, with high corn and soybean production levels, 20,28 more specifically, in a region called 'the core area of soybean production' in the provinces of Santa Fe, Córdoba, and Buenos Aires. As the climate variables are the main ecological factor that can limit the geographical distribution of the species, 29 we modeled the geographical distribution of D. furcatus and the main climate variables that shape the suitability of their habitat in South America (Fig.…”

“…40 However, not only does D. furcatus take advantage of spending the colder months in the field, but it also benefits from subsequent crop practices, by finding alternative hosts for feeding. 20,21,28 The activation of D. furcatus' metabolism during springtime allows them to feed on corn seedlings. In 'the core area of soybean production' and other temperate regions, planting corn into soybean stubble is very common.…”

“…9 Although some information available on the impact of D. furcatus on corn is present in technical reports designed to give guidance to farmers, interest of the scientific community is growing. 20,21,27,28 Here we summarize the current knowledge of D. furcatus, including its biology, life cycle, and geographical distribution in South America. Additionally, we describe the general causes and consequences of conservation agriculture practices (e.g., multiple cropping, no-tillage agriculture, and crop stubble cover) and of the emergence of D. furcatus as a new pest of corn.…”

“…Nowadays, D. furcatus is considered a growing problem in cultivation areas in the south of Brazil and Argentina, and a potential invasive pest species in other areas, such as North America 9 . Although some information available on the impact of D. furcatus on corn is present in technical reports designed to give guidance to farmers, interest of the scientific community is growing 20,21,27,28 . Here we summarize the current knowledge of D. furcatus , including its biology, life cycle, and geographical distribution in South America.…”