Comportamento sexual e semioquímicos de Tenuisvalvae notata (Mulsant) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae)

Abstract

The reproduction of lady beetles in release sites has a fundamental role in its population dynamic as well as in its preys. The lady beetle Tenuisvalvae notata (Mulsant), which adults can mate multiple times and lay eggs sparsely. Thus, we investigated the sexual behavior of T. notata, emphasizing sexual maturity, time, duration and mating frequency along the day, as well as the steps involved in mating behavior. We investigated the semiochemicals released by T. notata and they effect on adult behavior. Results show that T. notata only mates during the day, with higher frequency from 11 am to 4 pm. Males need an average of 4 days to mature sexually and mate, whereas females can mate right after emergency. The mean number of mates per day varied from 1.17 to 1.91, each mate lasting an average of 84 seconds. The sexual behavior of T. notata was reduced to: the male mounts the females, inserts the edeagus, touch her back with palps and mandibles and tries to hold her with its legs; the female can walk while mating, the male retracts the edeagus and spin on her back, finally he climbs down from her back and they separate. This behavioral information supports subsequent studies concerning mass rearing of this predatory ladybug.