Abstract
BY field observations, dissections and analyses of field samples it was discovered that the female diapause in Coccinella 7-punctata L. (Col. : Coccinellidae) is connected with a gonotrophic dissociation, which is not the case in male individuals. After the induction of diapause the adults of both sexes accumulate reserves (fats and glycogen) ; afterwards they stop feeding and migrate towards the winter quarters. During this prehibernation accumulative feeding-period, the females remain sexually immature. On the other hand, for males the maturation of gonads is not such a strain on energy reserves ; both diapausing and active males rapidly reach maturity and only stop tissue activity in testicular follicles immediately before hibernation. At this period they have already accumulated sperm reserves in the seminal vesicles and encysted sperms in the testicular follicles. Already before hibernation they fertilize a part of the females, hibernating afterwards with sperm reserves in the spermatheca. In the spring the males renew their sexual activity long before the females. They fertilize females in the hibernating quarters. The ovaria mature later—only after feeding on the essential aphid food. During hibernation the fat reserves in both sexes are reduced to a half; the glycogen in males to one-fifth, in females to one-third.
Similar content being viewed by others
Article PDF
References
Hodek, I., and Čerkasov, J., Ent. Exp. and App. (in the press).
De Wilde, J., and Stegwee, D., Arch. neérl. zool., 13, 277 (1958).
Hodek, I., and Čerkasov, J., Ent. Exp. and App. (in the press).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
HODEK, I., ČERKASOV, J. Prevention and Artificial Induction of the Imaginal Diapause in Coccinella 7-punctata L.. Nature 187, 345 (1960). https://doi.org/10.1038/187345a0
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/187345a0
This article is cited by
-
Regulation of adult diapause inCoccinella septempunctata septempunctata andC. septempunctata brucki from two regions of Japan (A Minireview)
BioControl (1997)
-
A weak tendency to “obligatory” diapause inCoccinella septempunctata from southern Spain
Entomophaga (1993)
-
Adult diapause ofCybocephalus nigriceps nigriceps [Col.: Cybocephalidae]
Entomophaga (1976)
-
Some factors influencing the reproduction and longevity ofCoccinella septempunctata Linnaeus [Coleoptera: Coccinellidae]
Entomophaga (1968)
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.