Are the reproductive traits of two populations of P. quatuordecimpunctata affected by the geographic conditions and the prey species

Abstract

Life history parameters of the ladybird populations, Propylea quatuordecimpunctata (L.) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), collected at two locations in Iran (Karaj and Sari) were recorded on two prey species, Aphis fabae Scopoli, 1763 and Aphis gossypii Glover, 1877 (Homoptera: Aphididae). The duration of most developmental stages (egg, first, second and third instar larvae) of two local populations of P. quatuordecimpunctata differed significantly, except for the fourth instar and pupal periods. A comparison of life table parameters between the two populations with different preys, showed that the net reproductive rate (R0) was not significantly different (P > 0.05). The intrinsic rate of increase (r), the mean generation time (T) and the finite rate of increase (λ) of the population from Sari on A. gossypii, differed significantly from the same population fed on A. fabae (P < 0.05). Our results demonstrated that reproductive traits of two populations of P. quatuordecimpunctata were affected by the geographic conditions and the prey species.