Effective strategy of the overwintering of semiaquatic bugs: overwintering of Velia caprai (Heteroptera: Gerromorpha: Veliidae)

Abstract

Overwintering of Velia caprai was studied during the winter months 2006–2007 in the area of South Bohemia (Czech Republic) by (1) field phenological observations and samples, (2) study of artificially established experimental cohorts in an unheated glasshouse, and (3) auxiliary experiments in a laboratory. Velia caprai has a unique way of overwintering within the gerromorphan bugs that is rare among insects generally; it can overwinter in both an adult and an egg stage. Most females reach sexual maturity before overwintering, mate with mature males, overwinter actively on the water surface and lay eggs during the winter. The dormant eggs can be induced to hatch by increasing temperatures. Winter oviposition can be interpreted as a sign of a risk‐spreading reproductive strategy. The overwintering of both adults and eggs provides a chance to adapt to changes in the local environmental conditions and could be an important determinant in broad variability of life‐history traits.

Keywords:

• life‐history trait
• maturation
• oviposition
• central Europe

Acknowledgements

We are indebted to the Czech Ministry of Education, Sport and Youth for their support of this study by grant no. MSM 6007665801 and to anonymous referees for their comments on the manuscript.