Comportamento reprodutivo, manipulação e cuidado dos ovos por Doru luteipes (Dermaptera: Forficulidae)

Abstract

Doru luteipes is an important predator that feeds on small arthropod pests, mainly in maize crops. Its rearing in the laboratory is important for carrying out various studies and also for multiplying insects for release in the field. For the predator to reproduce over generations in the laboratory, knowledge about the reproduction behavior of the species is essential. Thus, we seek to understand the pre-oviposition period of D. luteipes females, the mating ritual and the role of the male in fertilizing the eggs. We estimated the reproductive cycle of D. luteipes females, established the interval between postures, fertility and female longevity. We researched the importance of the female for the embryonic development of eggs and the possibility of using female progenitors and caregivers in the rearing of D. luteipes. Additionally, we investigated whether it is possible to maintain joint breeding with another specie of Dermaptera, Euborellia annulipes (Dermaptera: Anisolabidae). Finally, we detail the general procedures to be used in the experimental breeding of D. luteipes. Based on the results obtained, we verified that the reproductive cycle of the female D. luteipes is constant, regardless of the presence or absence of the male, with an interval between clutch of approximately 24 days and laying of 26 eggs/clutch. As with other species of Dermaptera, for D. luteipes there is a mating ritual that allows the female to choose the male to mate with, which is crucial for the eggs to be fertilized during the female's life, whose longevity is related to the quantity of descendants generated. The embryonic development of eggs depends on maternal care, without this care the eggs are contaminated by opportunistic fungi. The use of female progenitors and caregivers in breeding is not viable, as the hatching of nymphs is reduced when eggs are exchanged between females of D. luteipes, but females do not interfere with postures placed close together, which can optimize space in rearing laboratory. The joint rearing of the two species of earwigs, D. luteipes and E. annulipes, is not possible due to the high aggressiveness of E. annulipes.