Lady beetle oviposition site choices: maternal effects on offspring performance

Maternal effects can result in adaptive phenotypic responses of offspring that increase their fitness. Several recent studies report a positive relationship between maternal choices and offspring fitness. However, few studies have assessed the associations between aphidophagous lady beetle oviposition site selection, the adequacy of food resources for their offspring, and offspring performance. To clarify these issues, we explored whether aphidophagous lady beetle oviposition site selection can influence offspring performance, thereby reflecting adaptive maternal behavior. To assess the effect of food resources on offspring performance, we fed the larvae of 3 lady beetle species: Cycloneda sanguinea (L.), Harmonia axyridis (Pallas), and Hippodamia convergens (Guerin-Meneville) (all Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), with different types of aphids (Uroleucon and Brevicoryne) (both Hemiptera: Aphididae) then measured development time, survival, adult body mass, brightness, and chromatic coloration of the adult beetles. We found that Ha. axyridis larvae fed Brevicoryne exhibited a higher survival rate than those fed Uroleucon. Also more adults emerged from C. sanguinea larvae fed Uroleucon aphids, and these adults were heavier, shinier, with more chroma, and developed faster than those fed on Brevicoryne. Overall, lady beetles performed better when fed aphids commonly found near their respective oviposition sites. We conclude that aphidophagous lady beetle oviposition site selection reflects adaptive maternal choices associated with an adequate food resource positively affecting offspring fitness. Elucidating the links between lady beetle oviposition site choice and optimal resource for their offspring enhances our understanding of habitat use and co-existence of aphidophagous lady beetle communities in Brazilian agroecosystems.