Reproductive Behaviour in Insects and other Non-Marine Arthropods

A special issue of Insects (ISSN 2075-4450). This special issue belongs to the section "Insect Behavior and Pathology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 December 2021) | Viewed by 28754

Special Issue Editor

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Insects and other non-marine arthropods like spiders and myriapods display an enormous and fascinating variety of reproductive behaviours. Courtship displays are common in some species, mating positions outnumber those mentioned in the Kama Sutra and if eggs are laid and viviparity does not occur, site selection to deposit the eggs is critical. Measures to protect the eggs or the offspring may exist and to varying degrees parental care may be involved. A considerable amount of new information related to reproduction in non-marine arthropods has become available, but gaps in our understanding and knowledge of reproduction and reproductive behaviour still exist. For example, how will global climate change affect reproductive events, what exactly triggers their timings, which senses and hormones are involved and how will embryological and postlarval phases be impacted by chemical and photic pollution, by insecticides and by habitat changes? It is hoped that the selection of papers in this special issue of INSECTS can help answer some of these questions.

Prof. Dr. Victor Benno Meyer-Rochow
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

  • arthropod reproduction
  • mating
  • pairing
  • copulation
  • spermatophore
  • nuptial
  • sexual and asexual reproduction
  • parthenogenesis
  • embryology
  • brood care
  • oviposition
  • courtship
  • nymphs
  • larvae
  • sexual dimorphism
  • spermatheca
  • instars

Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

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19 pages, 2506 KiB  
Article
Quick Spreading of Populations of an Exotic Firefly throughout Spain and Their Recent Arrival in the French Pyrenees
by Marcel Koken, José Ramón Guzmán-Álvarez, Diego Gil-Tapetado, Miguel Angel Romo Bedate, Geneviève Laurent, Lucas Ezequiel Rubio, Segimon Rovira Comas, Nicole Wolffler, Fabien Verfaillie and Raphaël De Cock
Insects 2022, 13(2), 148; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/insects13020148 - 29 Jan 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 5473
Abstract
In August 2018, a firefly (Coleoptera: Lampyridae) of American origin was observed in several localities in Girona (Catalonia, Spain) and was described as Photinus immigrans by Zaragoza-Caballero and Vinolas, 2018. Here, we show that this species dispersed very quickly throughout northeastern [...] Read more.
In August 2018, a firefly (Coleoptera: Lampyridae) of American origin was observed in several localities in Girona (Catalonia, Spain) and was described as Photinus immigrans by Zaragoza-Caballero and Vinolas, 2018. Here, we show that this species dispersed very quickly throughout northeastern Spain and was, in 2020, observed in the French Pyrenees. The animal’s quick progress is documented, and part of its biology is described (dispersion speed, land use, phenology, identification of all life stages). An additional population was localized in Extremadura, and its special status is discussed. We were able to determine its Argentinian–Uruguayan origin and propose, therefore, to consider Photinus immigrans as a synonym of Photinus signaticollis (Blanchard, 1846) (=Photinus immigrans Zaragoza-Caballero and Viñolas, 2018, syn. nov.). Our data clearly show that at least the Catalan and French populations are spreading very quickly and are able to settle permanently if adequate ecosystems are found. The species is highly expansive and may well be invasive; our citizen science platforms are ideally suited to monitor their progress throughout Spain and France. This is important for avoiding future ecological problems with diverse native faunas, such as glow-worms, fireflies and earthworms. If no ways are found to stop the species’ progression, the animals will quite probably invade substantial areas of France, Spain and the rest of Europe in the years to come. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Reproductive Behaviour in Insects and other Non-Marine Arthropods)
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15 pages, 4315 KiB  
Article
Population Parameters and Growth of Riptortus pedestris (Fabricius) (Hemiptera: Alydidae) under Fluctuating Temperature
by Jeong Joon Ahn and Kyung San Choi
Insects 2022, 13(2), 113; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/insects13020113 - 21 Jan 2022
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2589
Abstract
In this study, we determined the influence of fluctuating temperatures on the development and fecundity of the bean bug Riptortus pedestris (Fabricius) (Hemiptera: Alydidae) by collecting life table data for individuals exposed at a constant temperature (24 °C) and three fluctuating temperatures (24 [...] Read more.
In this study, we determined the influence of fluctuating temperatures on the development and fecundity of the bean bug Riptortus pedestris (Fabricius) (Hemiptera: Alydidae) by collecting life table data for individuals exposed at a constant temperature (24 °C) and three fluctuating temperatures (24 ± 4 °C, 24 ± 6 °C, and 24 ± 8 °C). The raw life history data were analyzed using an age-stage, two-sex life table to take into account the viable development rate among individuals. Based on these analyses, the population projections enabled us to determine the stage structure and variability of population growth under different temperature treatments. Our results revealed shorter periods of immature development and a higher pre-adult survival rate at 24 ± 6 °C than under the other assessed temperature conditions. Furthermore, significant reductions in female longevity were recorded at 24 °C, whereas the fecundity, net reproductive rate, and intrinsic and finite rates of increase were highest at 24 ± 6 °C. These findings reveal that fluctuating temperatures have a positive influence on the life history traits of R. pedestris and indicate that observations made under constant temperatures may not explain sufficiently enough the temperature dependent biological performances of pests in the field. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Reproductive Behaviour in Insects and other Non-Marine Arthropods)
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10 pages, 1333 KiB  
Article
Blinded by the Light: Artificial Light Lowers Mate Attraction Success in Female Glow-Worms (Lampyris noctiluca L.)
by Mira Van den Broeck, Raphaël De Cock, Stefan Van Dongen and Erik Matthysen
Insects 2021, 12(8), 734; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/insects12080734 - 17 Aug 2021
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 5234
Abstract
Nocturnal light pollution from anthropogenic origin is increasing worldwide and is recognised as a major threat for nocturnal biodiversity. We studied the impact of artificial light on the mate attraction success of female common glow-worms (Lampyris noctiluca L.) by daily monitoring their [...] Read more.
Nocturnal light pollution from anthropogenic origin is increasing worldwide and is recognised as a major threat for nocturnal biodiversity. We studied the impact of artificial light on the mate attraction success of female common glow-worms (Lampyris noctiluca L.) by daily monitoring their glowing status in the field, acting as a proxy for mating status throughout the mating season. We found that females in dark surroundings typically stopped glowing after one night, indicating that they had mated, while females in illuminated areas glowed for significantly more nights, in some cases up to 15 nights. Our study confirms previous findings and hypotheses that females exposed to artificial light suffer from a reduced mate attraction success with a negative impact on populations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Reproductive Behaviour in Insects and other Non-Marine Arthropods)
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15 pages, 1078 KiB  
Article
Reproductive Systems, Transfer and Digestion of Spermatophores in Two Asian Luciolinae Fireflies (Coleoptera: Lampyridae)
by Xinhua Fu and Lesley Ballantyne
Insects 2021, 12(4), 365; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/insects12040365 - 20 Apr 2021
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 3611
Abstract
The internal reproductive anatomy of males and females of two Asian Luciolinae fireflies Emeia pseudosauteri (Geisthardt, 2004) and Abscondita chinensis (L., 1767) is described, and the time course for spermatophore transfer and digestion examined. E. pseudosauteri is sexually dimorphic, with a flightless female, [...] Read more.
The internal reproductive anatomy of males and females of two Asian Luciolinae fireflies Emeia pseudosauteri (Geisthardt, 2004) and Abscondita chinensis (L., 1767) is described, and the time course for spermatophore transfer and digestion examined. E. pseudosauteri is sexually dimorphic, with a flightless female, and Abs. chinensis is sexually monomorphic, with the female flighted. Both are monandrous. Possible female accessory glands are described for the first time for both species. An overview of present knowledge of female reproductive anatomy in the Luciolinae reveals males of 18 species in 10 genera may produce spermatophores and permits speculation about spermatophore production in another 16 genera. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Reproductive Behaviour in Insects and other Non-Marine Arthropods)
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14 pages, 3309 KiB  
Article
Selection and Validation of Suitable Reference Genes for RT-qPCR Analysis in the Rare Aquatic Firefly Aquatica leii (Coleoptera: Lampyridae)
by Xinhua Fu and Victor Benno Meyer-Rochow
Insects 2021, 12(4), 359; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/insects12040359 - 16 Apr 2021
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 3017
Abstract
Aquatica leii Fu and Ballantyne is a species of rare aquatic firefly and endemic in China. It is considered good material to study the molecular mechanism of sexual flash communication systems. To improve conservation and behavioral research strategies, large-scale genetic studies involving gene-expression [...] Read more.
Aquatica leii Fu and Ballantyne is a species of rare aquatic firefly and endemic in China. It is considered good material to study the molecular mechanism of sexual flash communication systems. To improve conservation and behavioral research strategies, large-scale genetic studies involving gene-expression analysis are required and reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) is the most commonly used method. However, there have been very few reports on appropriate reference genes in any species of firefly. Here, we evaluated eight widely utilized reference genes including 18S, Actin, Reep5, Odc1, Tub, Gapdh, Ef1a and S27Ae for their expression stabilities in A. leii under three different conditions, i.e., life stage, tissue and dsRNA injection. Based on the gene stability ranking calculated by RefFinder, which integrates four algorithms (geNorm, delta Ct method, NormFinder, and BestKeeper), we recommend S27Ae and Reep5 as the most appropriate reference genes for molecular studies in different life stages; Ef1a and Odc1 for different tissues; Tub and Odc1 for RNAi studies. The most appropriate reference genes in all treatments are S27Ae and Tub. The results of this study will help improve accuracy and reliability to normalize RT-qPCR data in A. leii for further molecular analysis. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Reproductive Behaviour in Insects and other Non-Marine Arthropods)
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Review

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25 pages, 2985 KiB  
Review
Visible beyond Violet: How Butterflies Manage Ultraviolet
by David Stella and Karel Kleisner
Insects 2022, 13(3), 242; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/insects13030242 - 28 Feb 2022
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 3645
Abstract
Ultraviolet (UV) means ‘beyond violet’ (from Latin ‘ultra’, meaning ‘beyond’), whereby violet is the colour with the highest frequencies in the ‘visible’ light spectrum. By ‘visible’ we mean human vision, but, in comparison to many other organisms, human visual perception is rather limited [...] Read more.
Ultraviolet (UV) means ‘beyond violet’ (from Latin ‘ultra’, meaning ‘beyond’), whereby violet is the colour with the highest frequencies in the ‘visible’ light spectrum. By ‘visible’ we mean human vision, but, in comparison to many other organisms, human visual perception is rather limited in terms of the wavelengths it can perceive. Still, this is why communication in the UV spectrum is often called hidden, although it most likely plays an important role in communicating various kinds of information among a wide variety of organisms. Since Silberglied’s revolutionary Communication in the Ultraviolet, comprehensive studies on UV signals in a wide list of genera are lacking. This review investigates the significance of UV reflectance (and UV absorption)—a feature often neglected in intra- and interspecific communication studies—mainly in Lepidoptera. Although the text focuses on various butterfly families, links and connections to other animal groups, such as birds, are also discussed in the context of ecology and the evolution of species. The basic mechanisms of UV colouration and factors shaping the characteristics of UV patterns are also discussed in a broad context of lepidopteran communication. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Reproductive Behaviour in Insects and other Non-Marine Arthropods)
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Other

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5 pages, 5655 KiB  
Brief Report
First Report of Necrophilia in the Form of Necrocoitus among Insects, Involving Two Male Cryptotympana atrata (Fabricius, 1775) Cicadas
by Ji-Shen Wang and Victor Benno Meyer-Rochow
Insects 2021, 12(1), 20; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/insects12010020 - 31 Dec 2020
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 4118
Abstract
The unusual case of a male Cryptotympana atrata cicada from China attempting to mate with a dead male conspecific is described and illustrated. Although hitherto unreported, necrophilic behaviour in the form of an attempted necrocoitus, involving dead male or female corpses, may not [...] Read more.
The unusual case of a male Cryptotympana atrata cicada from China attempting to mate with a dead male conspecific is described and illustrated. Although hitherto unreported, necrophilic behaviour in the form of an attempted necrocoitus, involving dead male or female corpses, may not be as isolated a case as has been previously assumed, but it does not seem to have been mentioned earlier in the entomological literature. Although the described behaviour could have been an expression of a lack of opportunity to locate a cooperative female, several other possibilities, referred to in the Discussion, exist and should not be dismissed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Reproductive Behaviour in Insects and other Non-Marine Arthropods)
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