Investment Trade-Off between Mating Behavior and Tonic Immobility in the Sweetpotato Weevil (Coleoptera: Brentidae).

Numerous studies have confirmed that the trade-off between anti-predator behavior and mating behavior occurs in certain insect species. This suggests that insects invest more in anti-predator behavior, and fewer resources or time can be used in mating behavior. However, few studies focus on tonic immobility, an important anti-predator behavior in nature, and different stages in mating behavior.

Trade-off Investment between Tonic Immobility and Mate Search in the Sweetpotato Weevil, (Coleoptera: Brentidae).

Tonic immobility (TI) is a well-known anti-predator strategy adopted by diverse preys. Numerous studies on the cost-benefit involve in TI have been reported. Although, some studies have reported the effect of mating behavior on TI, few studies highlight the phases of mate search.

Potential investment tradeoff between offspring production and functional recovery promoted by larval cannibalism in Coccinella septempunctata (Coleoptera: coccinellidae).

Background: Since larval cannibalism is frequently observed in intensive rearing systems, the regeneration of lost legs is common for the beneficial species Coccinella septempunctata (Coccinella: Coccinellidae) to adapt to the competitive environment, but whether functional recovery occurs in the leg-regenerated coccinellids remains unknown. To evaluate the functional recovery of regenerated right foreleg after being damaged, the behaviors of leg-regenerated ladybugs containing predation, attachment, intraspecific competition, prey preference and fecundity were studied in the laboratory.

Results: The prey consumption and searching rate of leg-regenerated ladybugs decreased, and their handling time extended.