Melanic Facial Patterns and their Significance in the Multicolored Asian Lady Beetle (Harmonia axyridis)

The relationship between the patterns present on the pronotum and the elytra of the multicolored Asian lady beetle Harmonia axyridis was investigated. In males elytron size was a significant predictor of pronotal intensity and in females the fraction of the pronotum covered in black was related to their elytral spot brightness. Other significant sex differences included females having more of their pronota covered by melanins and the pigments deposited there being more intense than in males. The potential significance of these sex differences is discussed as well as the potential for these signals to serve in a mate choice context.