Life History of Podisus maculiventris Given Low Numbers of Epilachna varivestis as Prey

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Abstract
Body weight, reproduction, and longevity of mated and unmated female Podisus maculiventris (Say) were measured under low and high numbers of prey, Epilachna varivestis Mulsant (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae). Under low rates of predation, the predator maintained longevity apparently at the expense of reproduction. Predators fed less frequently oviposited less often and later in life. Body weight of females was dependent on diet; females fed more frequently weighed more than those fed infrequently. Results are compared with previous life history studies of this predator. We found similarities in our results to other studies on longevity and reproduction of P. maculiventris provided other types of prey. The trade-off between reproduction and longevity may be a response to environments with temporal variation in prey abundance.

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