Effects of mating age and male mating experience on reproduction and longevity of the edible insect <i>Clanis bilineata tsingtauica</i>

Abstract Clanis bilineata tsingtauic a Mell, a valued edible insect in China, has seen limited study on its reproductive behaviors despite their importance for mass rearing. This study investigated the effects of mating age, male mating experience, and mating duration on the reproduction and adult longevity of C. bilineata tsingtauica under laboratory conditions. We observed a monandrous mating system for females and a polygynous one for males. The mating rate, oviposition duration, fecundity, and egg hatching rate declined with increasing female mating age. For males, an increase in mating age significantly reduced the mating rate and fecundity, with minimal impact on other parameters. Additionally, increased male mating experience negatively affected fecundity and egg hatching rate, without altering the mating rate, oviposition duration, or adult longevity. Notably, fecundity and egg hatching rate were positively related to mating duration, while oviposition duration was negatively correlated. Our findings indicate that early mating, reduced male mating experience, and extended mating duration enhance the reproductive success of C. bilineata tsingtauica , providing insights for optimizing mass rearing practices.