Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Sex ratios of adultScymnodes lividigaster andLeptothea galbula [Col.: Coccinellidae], sampled in the field

  • Published:
Entomophaga Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

A 3 year field study ofScymnodes lividigaster (Mulsant) adults near Sydney indicated sex ratios close to 50∶50, ♀∶♂. Ratios deviated between samples collected in various periods of year and in individual years. Deviation was related to collecting methods, environmental conditions and behaviour of sexes in different developmental phases. SamplingLeptothea galbula (Mulsant) in 2 different habitats indicated all sex ratios biased towards ♀; ratios apparently not related to collecting methods and with little seasonality. In laboratory sex ratios ofL. galbula were close to 50∶50.

Résumé

Trois années d'étude deScymnodes lividigaster (Mulsant) dans les conditions naturelles près de Sydney ont montré que la proportion des sexes était 50∶50. Les proportions varient selon les échantillons prélevés à différentes périodes de l'année et suivant les années. Les variations dépendent des méthodes de prélèvement, des conditions de milieu et du comportement des sexes aux différentes étapes de leur développement. L'échantillonnage deLeptothea galbula (Mulsant) dans 2 habitats différents a mis en évidence des proportions des sexes favorables aux femelles, sans relation apparente avec les méthodes de collecte et avec peu de dépendance avec la saison. Au laboratoire la proportion de sexes deL. galbula était voisine de 50∶50.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Anderson, J. M. E. — 1979a. Seasonal cycles of development in two species of Australian ladybirds [Coleoptera: Coccinellidae], with special reference to their reproductive diapause. —Ph. D. Thesis, Univ. New South Wales.

  • Anderson, J. M. E. — 1979 b. Biology and distribution ofScymnodes lividigaster (Mulsant) andLeptothea galbula (Mulsant)[Coleoptera: Coccinellidae]. — Proc. Linn. Soc. N.S.W., 26.

  • Anderson, J. M. E. &Richards, Aola. M. — 1977. First record of reproductive diapause and aggregation in AustralianCoccinellidae [Colepotera]. —Proc. Linn. Soc. N.S.W., 102, 13–17.

    Google Scholar 

  • Blackman, R. L. — 1965. Specificity in predator-prey relationships, with particular reference to the aphidophagousCoccinellidae. — Ph. D. Thesis. Univ. London.

  • Chapman, R. F. — 1969. The Insects: Structure and Function. —English Univ. Press, Lond., 819 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dyer, J. G. &Swift, F. C. — 1979. Sex ratio in field populations of phytoseiid mites [Acarina: Phytoseiidae]. —Ann. Entomol. Soc. Am., 72, 149–154.

    Google Scholar 

  • Engelmann, F. — 1970. The Physiology of Insect Reproduction. —Pergamon Press, Oxford, 307 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Greenslade, P. J. M. — 1964. The distribution, dispersal and size of a population ofNebria brevicollis (F.) with comparative studies on three otherCarabidae. —J. Anim. Ecol., 33, 311–333.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hagen, K. S. — 1962. Biology and ecology of predaceousCoccinellidae. —Annu. Rev. Entomol., 7, 289–326.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hales, D. F. (collator). — 1978. Aspects of the biology ofHarmonia conformis Boisd. [Coleoptera Coccinellidae]. —Circ. Entomol. Soc. Aust. (N.S.W.), 288, 37.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hodek, I. — 1967. Bionomics and ecology of the predaceousCoccinellidae. —Annu. Rev. Entomol., 12, 79–104.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Honek, A. — 1975. Colour polymorphism inAdalia bipunctata in Bohemia [Coleoptera: Coccinellidae]. —Entomol. Ger., 1, 293–299.

    Google Scholar 

  • Imms, A. D. — 1960. A General Textbook of Entomology. —Methuen & Co. Ltd., Lond., 886 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Matsuka, M., Hashi, H. &Okada, I. — 1975. Abnormal sex-ratio found in the lady beetleHarmonia axyridis Pallas [Coleoptera: Coccinellidae]. —Appl. Entomol., Zool., 10, 84–89.

    Google Scholar 

  • McMullen, R. D. — 1967. A field study of diapause inCoccinella novemnotata [Coleoptera: Coccinellidae]. —Can. Entomol., 99: 42–49.

    Google Scholar 

  • Smith, B. C. — 1966. Significance of variation in the weight, size and sex ratio of coccinellid adults. In: Ecology of Aphidophagous Insects (I. Hodek, ed.). —Junk, The Hague, 360 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Southwood, T. R. E. — 1966. Ecological Methods with Particular Reference to the Study of Insect Populations. —Methuen & Co. Ltd., Lond., 391 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stevens, L. M., McGuire, J. U., Steinhauer, A. L. &Zungoli, P. A. — 1977. The observed sex ratio ofPediobius foveolatus [Hym.: Eulophidae] in field populations ofEpilachna varivestis [Col.: Coccinellidae]. —Entomophaga, 22, 175–177.

    Google Scholar 

  • Suomalainen, E., Saura, A. &Lokki, J. — 1976. Evolution of parthenogenetic insects. —Evol. Biol., 9, 209–257.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Zoology, University of New South Wales, 2033, Kensington, Australia

    J. M. E. Anderson

Authors
  1. J. M. E. Anderson
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Anderson, J.M.E. Sex ratios of adultScymnodes lividigaster andLeptothea galbula [Col.: Coccinellidae], sampled in the field. Entomophaga 26, 39–45 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02371832

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02371832

Keywords

Search

Navigation