Mating system modulates mate selection in aphidophagous ladybird, Menochilus sexmaculatus

ABSTRACT Mate competition and selection of mates is strongly influenced by the organism’s mating system. Monogamous matings provide more benefits as compared to polygamous matings. However, it has been proven that in polygamous systems, females gain benefits from the males, therefore indulging in multiple mating, leading males to access maximum females. In zigzag ladybird, Menochilus sexmaculatus , mate choice has been studied on several pre-and postcopulatory factors. However, mate choice as a function of mating system is still remains untouched. In the present study, we hypothesised that the mating system modulates mate selection of beetles. Adults were held in different mating systems and then males and females were tested in mate choice trials. Polygynous males were more preferred over monogynous males. However, males preferred monandrous females over polyandrous females. In a second experiment, we also included relatedness as additional factor. In female mate choice trials, females preferred unrelated monogynous males which were earlier rejected over related polygynous and in male mate choice trials, males preferred unrelated polyandrous females over related monandrous females. The results were not confined only to mate choice but significant effect was also observed on time to commence mating, copulation duration, fecundity and percent egg viability.