Limb regeneration modulates reproductive attributes in ladybirds: A case study in Propylea dissecta and Coccinella septempunctata

Regeneration is the capability to regrow or repair the lost or injured body parts. In holometabolous insects, the adult development undergoes through larval and pupal stages. Literature revealed that the limb regeneration has various impact on different life traits of organisms. In the present study, we investigated limb regeneration of two different sized ladybirds affect their life attributes. Fourth instar larvae of small ladybird Propylea dissecta and the large ladybird Coccinella septempunctata were taken from the laboratory stock and were given an ablation treatment, viz. forelegs of larvae were amputated at the base of the coxa. Amputated larvae were observed until the adult emergence. Emerged adults were grouped in different categories on the basis limb regeneration i.e. regenerated adults (incomplete regenerated in case of P. dissecta), unregenerated, and normal (control) adults. These adults were kept in different mating treatments. The unregenerated adults of both the ladybirds took more time to commence mating with shorter copulation duration and reduced fecundity and percent egg viability. Thus, it can be concluded that regeneration ability modulates the life attributes of the ladybirds irrespective of their body size.