Geographical and genetic structure of life-history variation in milkweed bugs (Hemiptera: Lygaeidae: Oncopeltus)

Abstract

Six geographic samples of Oncopeltus fasciatus spanned the species' range, from year-round populations on tropical islands to seasonal middle-latitude populations found in temperate North America. The seasonal populations must be refounded each year by colonists from more southern populations. Marked differences in life-history traits (particularly in age at first reproduction, clutch size, and rate of egg production) were observed, with tropical-island and W-coast populations being the most distinct. In the E and C USA, there was a marked N-S difference in life history. Crossing experiments demonstrated a genetic basis for these differences. -from Author