Epilachna paenulata (Germar, 1824) was reared feeding on pumpkin leaves (Cucurbita pepo Lourt.) in laboratory conditions at temperatures of 20±0,5ºC, relative humidity of 65±0,5% and 12 hour photoperiod. Groups of fecunded and non-fecunded females were studied. The ovarioles showed four developing stages during egg production, morphologically alike for fecunded and non-fecunded females, but differing in the duration time of the stages. Each ovarium has 24 ovarioles on average, less than any other species known into the genus, and all ovarioles are physiologically active at each oviposition. The mean number of ovarioles is lower when compared with the other species of Epilachninae known. Fecunded and non-fecunded females showed a similar preoviposition period, but longer than any other species known into the genus. The interoviposition period is shorter among fecunded females than non-fecunded and among other species of the genus. The number of ovipositions and eggs per oviposition and the daily oviposition rate are higher among fecunded females than non-fecunded and any other species of the genus. Differing from other Coccinellidae species, the mean eggs width do not change between the first and second ovipositions. The eggs handling decrease the larvae viability. The differences observed in the number of eggs per oviposition, in the interoviposition periods and the daily oviposition rate between fecunded and non-fecunded females showed that mate changes the female reprodutive capacity.
Epilachninae; reproduction; ovariole development; mate influence; viability