Macronutrient composition of spermatophores of Cryptolaemus montrouzieri varies depending on male feeding

Many insect species produce nutritive ejaculates, which represent the male’s contribution to female reproductive fitness. Studies on the quantification of male contribution are assessed via indirect observations and direct assessment through the post-copulation effect on female reproductive performance, such as longevity and fecundity. Few studies directly address the nutritive content transferred by males via spermatophores. In species with multiple copulations, males produce ejaculates whose proportion of allocated substances varies according to the adult diet. We hypothesized that the spermatophores of C. montrouzieri show significant variations in nutrient composition when dietary modifications occur and whether this affects female fecundity and fertility. To test this hypothesis, we analyzed the macronutrient proteins, lipids, sugars, and glycogen using colorimetric methods. We tested for quantitative changes in these macronutrients in adult males well-fed with Planococcus cit..., A colony of C. montrouzieri was established at the Laboratório de Entomologia Aplicada (LEA) at the Universidade Federal de Pernambuco (UFPE). The individuals were maintained under constant conditions of 25 ± 1°C, 40 ± 10% relative humidity, and a 12-hour photoperiod. Larvae and adults C. montrouzieri were fed on adult females of Planococcus citri (Family: Pseudococcidae). Colonies of P. citri were kept in the laboratory and fed commercial \"jacarezinho\" pumpkins (Cucurbita moschata). Last-instar larvae of C. montrouzieri were separated and placed individually in Petri dishes (8 cm × 1.5 cm). Upon adult emergence (<24 hours), they were sexed and separated by gender for use in experiments.
Adult Diets
Females used in the experiments were maintained on a standard diet of adult P. citri females, ad libitum. Males were subjected to different dietary treatments: 1) Well-fed: males were fed adult females of P. citri, ad libitum. 2) Food scarcity: males were fed two adult females of P. citri..., , # Macronutrient composition of spermatophores of *Cryptolaemus montrouzieri* varies depending on male feeding

[https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.vhhmgqp4c](https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.vhhmgqp4c)

## Description of the data and file structure

**Adult Diets**

Females used in the experiments were maintained on a standard diet of adult *P. citri* females, *ad libitum*. Males were subjected to different dietary treatments: 1) Well-fed: males were fed adult females of *P. citri*, *ad libitum*. 2) Food scarcity: males were fed two adult females of *P. citri* every two days, based on preliminary tests to determine the minimum prey amount necessary to ensure male survival until the end of the experiments. 3) Honey: males were fed only commercial honey (Apinário Zumbi dos Palmares®; 70 kcal and 18 g of carbohydrates per 20 g portion, with negligible amounts of proteins, total fats, saturated fats, trans fats, dietary fiber, and sodium) at a 30% concentration, soaked in hydrophilic cotton.

**Obt...,