Joint and separate effects of photoperiodic and alimentary induction of diapause in Coccinella septempunctata (Coleoptera, Coccinellidae)

A reproductive diapause, peculiar to the aphidophagous lady-beetle Coccinella septempunctata L. may be induced either by the short-day photoperiod or by the lack of its preys. The joint action of both of these diapause-inducing developmental responses evokes a very stable diapause that cannot be caused by any factor alone. This evidences a strong interference between photoperiodic and alimentary reactions testifying to a certain unity of their physiological background.