Pollen did not provide suitable nutrients for ovary development in a ladybird Brumoides foudrasii (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae)

Abstract

Coccinellids can exploit a wide variety of foods and other sources of nutrients to supplement their diet. The use of these secondary sources of food, is called an alternative diet. Some species are able to maintain their development and reproduction by feeding exclusively on an alternative diet, while the fecundity of others are compromised. One of the major sources of alternative food exploited by predator coccinellids is pollen. The aim of this research is test the hypothesis that pollen affects the fecundity of the B. foudrasii. A group of females were fed with nymphs and adults of F. dasylirii mealybug. A second groupe were feed with F. darsylirii along with pollen, and a third group was fed only pollen. All female beetles were observed for 10 days. The eggs were counted and the females were dissected, to access oocyte maturation. The results showed that only females fed with mealybugs oviposited. These females had an average of 18.9 mature oocytes. Females fed with the mix of mealybugs and pollen had an average of 17.4 mature oocytes. Females fed exclusively pollen had no mature oocytes. Our results suggest that pollen appeared to exert an inhibitory effect and oviposition behavior.