Defence, oviposition and sex: semiochemical parsimony in two species of ladybird beetles (Coleoptera, Coccinellidae)? A short review.

Certain alkanes or their mixture present on the surface of ladybird elytra is important in the recognition of potential mates. Similar chemicals are p resent in the tracks of larvae, which deter conspecific female ladybirds fr om laying eggs in aphid colonies already being attacked by larvae. Finally, the shell of ladybird eggs is covered with alkanes that deter other specie s of ladybirds from eating the eggs. In each case the alkanes are similar a lthough they fulfil different functions. There are, therefore, indications that ladybirds exploit their natural product with parsimonious versatility.