Resource amount and discontinuity influence flight and reproduction in <i>Hippodamia convergens</i> (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae)

Industrial-scale agriculture creates a mosaic of large monocultures in the landscape, where seasonal cropping cycles generate discontinuous resource availability for insect predators both spatially and temporally. In this environment, selection will favor predator movement reproductive behaviors that optimize location effective utilization (prey) pulses are patchy ephemeral nature. Using model system to study reproduction, we tested how periods food access mimic fluctuating populations (aphids) would influence flight behavior reproduction highly mobile predator, Hippodamia convergens (convergent lady beetle), possibly modify energetic trade-offs between these behaviors. Adult beetles were provided either short (3 h) or long (6 daily (continuous availability) (12 every other day (discontinuous availability). We measured preoviposition period, fecundity, fertility during an 18-day oviposition female tethered activity before after period. found delayed onset high quantity treatment; fewer females laid eggs overall, fecundity was lower compared with continuous provision same quantity. A longer period associated days fitness. Flight distance negatively correlated, suggesting expenditure can deplete reserves otherwise used subsequent reproduction. The negative effects at fine temporal scales reveal gaps could beetle population dynamics their ecosystem services within agricultural landscape.