Inheritance of seasonal cycles in Chrysoperla (Insecta: Neuroptera)

Abstract

Two separate, but interacting, genetic systems underlie the variation in seasonal cycles among members of the Chrysoperla carnea species-complex. The two systems are expressed as all-or-none reproductive responses to photoperiod and prey (i.e. short-day/long-day requirement for reproduction versus long-day reproduction and prey requirement for reproduction versus reproduction without prey). In each case the alternative to reproduction is reproductive diapause. The photoperiodic responses are determined by alleles at two unlinked autosomal loci. The expression of dominance by the alleles at these loci varies among geographical populations. The genes that determine the photoperiodic responses also act as suppressors of the genes that govern responsiveness to prey. An autosomal, polygenic system, with a threshold for the expression of diapause, determines responsiveness to prey. The two genetic systems are important to seasonal diversification and speciation within the C. carnea species-complex. © 1987, Cambridge University Press. All rights reserved.