Surface features of plants can influence the searching efficiency and survival of predatory insects. Surfaces act as barriers preventing attachment of both phytophages and also their insect predators. In this regard, we focused on the oviposition site selection and the attachment ability of all life stages (eggs, larvae, imagines) of two common ladybird species, Propylea quatuordecimpunctata and Harmonia axyridis (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), on artificial and natural substrates with different surface features and properties (roughness, wettability). Both species preferred a hydrophilic surface as the oviposition site and this can be correlated with the better performance of both larvae and adults on these substrates compared with hydrophobic ones. The egg glue of both ladybird species can wet hydrophobic surfaces such as those of many plant leaves and also with prominent 3D wax coverage. The surface roughness has an important role in the oviposition site selection in P. quatuordecimpunctata, but not in H. axyridis. The oviposition preference for smooth surfaces in P. quatuordecimpunctata could be due to better performance of larvae on smooth substrates compared with rough ones. The egg glue of both species can adapt to artificial and natural surfaces characterized by different asperity sizes faithfully replicating their shape, except for very high asperity sizes or big trichomes. The results of the present research can shed light on the mechanical ecology of the evolutionary successful Coccinellidae and may aid in the development of suitable substrates for coccinellid egg-laying, in order to improve the mass rearing technique of species used in biological control.

中文翻译：

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Propylea quatuordecimpunctata 和 Harmonia axyridis 从卵到成虫的产卵位点选择和附着能力

植物的表面特征会影响捕食性昆虫的搜索效率和生存。表面充当屏障，防止植物噬菌体及其昆虫捕食者的附着。在这方面，我们专注于两种常见瓢虫Propylea quatuordecimpunctata和Harmonia axyridis的产卵地点选择和所有生命阶段（卵、幼虫、想象）的附着能力（鞘翅目：瓢虫科），在具有不同表面特征和特性（粗糙度、润湿性）的人造和天然基质上。这两个物种都喜欢亲水表面作为产卵位点，这与幼虫和成虫在这些基质上的性能优于疏水表面有关。两种瓢虫的蛋胶都可以润湿疏水表面，例如许多植物叶子的表面，并且还具有显着的 3D 蜡覆盖。表面粗糙度在P. quatuordecimpunctata的产卵位点选择中具有重要作用，但在异色瓢虫中没有。P. quatuordecimpunctata对光滑表面的产卵偏好可能是由于幼虫在光滑基质上的表现优于粗糙基质。除了非常高的粗糙尺寸或大毛状体外，这两种物种的蛋胶都可以适应以不同粗糙尺寸为特征的人造和自然表面，忠实地复制它们的形状。本研究的结果可以阐明进化成功的瓢虫科的机械生态学，并可能有助于开发合适的瓢虫产卵基质，以改进用于生物防治的物种的大规模饲养技术。