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, <em>Propylea quatuordecimpunctata</em> (L.) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), collected at two locations in Iran (Karaj and Sari) were recorded on two prey species, <em>Aphis fabae</em> Scopoli, 1763 and <em>Aphis gossypii </em>Glover, 1877 (Homoptera: Aphididae). The duration of most developmental stages (egg, first, second and third instar larvae) of two local populations of <em>P</em>. <em>quatuordecimpunctata</em> 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 (<em>R₀</em>) 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 <em>A. gossypii</em>, differed significantly from the same population fed on <em>A. fabae </em>(P < 0.05)<em>.</em> Our results demonstrated that reproductive traits of two populations of <em>P. quatuordecimpunctata</em> were affected by the geographic conditions and the prey species.