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<p><i>Cheilomenes sexmaculata</i> Fabricius (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) is a widely used biocontrol agent against aphids and other soft-bodied agricultural pests. Leg functionality is central to mobility, prey-handling efficiency, and overall survival of ladybird beetle. Any impairment or incomplete regeneration of lost legs can therefore influence these traits and may compromise its effectiveness as a potent biocontrol agent. In mass-rearing systems, food availability is often limited and may affect both the extent of leg regeneration and functional traits (<i>e.g.,</i> predation, locomotion, and survival) that depend on it. This study investigates how food availability shapes leg regeneration and developmental traits in <i>C. sexmaculata</i> following leg amputation at larval stage. Larvae were reared under two dietary regimes: abundant and scarce. The regenerated leg morphology (length, area, and perimeter), developmental durations, adult body weight, and relative growth rate were assessed. Food quantity significantly affected all the traits. Regenerated legs were consistently smaller than those of controls, being most reduced under scarce diet. Developmental delays were more pronounced in amputated larvae reared under scarce diet, indicating a trade-off between regeneration and development. Interestingly, pupal duration was significantly prolonged in amputated individuals on abundant diet, likely reflecting continuation of regeneration during metamorphosis. Adult body weight and relative growth rate were significantly lower under scarce diet, although no significant differences were observed between regenerated and control individuals within the same diet group. These results demonstrate that although <i>C. sexmaculata</i> can regenerate legs regardless of food availability, limited resources compromise the extent and efficiency of regeneration. The associated trade-offs may affect their mobility, prey-handling, and survival, ultimately influencing their functional fitness as biocontrol agents. Understanding such trade-offs offer insights for optimizing mass-rearing protocols to enhance biocontrol efficacy of ladybird beetles in integrated pest management (IPM) programs.</p>

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Trade-offs between regeneration and development under food stress in the biocontrol agent, Cheilomenes sexmaculata (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae)

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年3月30日

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  • Shriza Rai,
  • Tripti Yadav,
  • Geetanjali Mishra

摘要

Cheilomenes sexmaculata Fabricius (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) is a widely used biocontrol agent against aphids and other soft-bodied agricultural pests. Leg functionality is central to mobility, prey-handling efficiency, and overall survival of ladybird beetle. Any impairment or incomplete regeneration of lost legs can therefore influence these traits and may compromise its effectiveness as a potent biocontrol agent. In mass-rearing systems, food availability is often limited and may affect both the extent of leg regeneration and functional traits (e.g., predation, locomotion, and survival) that depend on it. This study investigates how food availability shapes leg regeneration and developmental traits in C. sexmaculata following leg amputation at larval stage. Larvae were reared under two dietary regimes: abundant and scarce. The regenerated leg morphology (length, area, and perimeter), developmental durations, adult body weight, and relative growth rate were assessed. Food quantity significantly affected all the traits. Regenerated legs were consistently smaller than those of controls, being most reduced under scarce diet. Developmental delays were more pronounced in amputated larvae reared under scarce diet, indicating a trade-off between regeneration and development. Interestingly, pupal duration was significantly prolonged in amputated individuals on abundant diet, likely reflecting continuation of regeneration during metamorphosis. Adult body weight and relative growth rate were significantly lower under scarce diet, although no significant differences were observed between regenerated and control individuals within the same diet group. These results demonstrate that although C. sexmaculata can regenerate legs regardless of food availability, limited resources compromise the extent and efficiency of regeneration. The associated trade-offs may affect their mobility, prey-handling, and survival, ultimately influencing their functional fitness as biocontrol agents. Understanding such trade-offs offer insights for optimizing mass-rearing protocols to enhance biocontrol efficacy of ladybird beetles in integrated pest management (IPM) programs.