Sex ratios in Adalia bipunctata populations and population-genetic significance of male killing

Secondary sex ratios in individual families and populations of Adalia bipun ctata from different European localities were determined. When data on fami lies that produced bisexual (both male and female) progeny were combined, t he total progeny number was 533 females and 542 males (the proportion of ma les was 50.4%). In the population of Moscow, three out of 52 females produc ed exclusively female offspring (families without males). European populati ons exhibited female predominance in the sex ratio in the direction from so uth to north. The lowest proportion of males (18.0%) was observed in the po pulation of Stockholm. Biological significance for the population of the pr esence of females producing unisexual female progeny is discussed.