DOI: 10.5061/dryad.x69p8czxm
title: Data from: Conspecific semiochemical tracks on host plants modulate reproduction and defense in <em>Parthenium</em> beetles

description: The present study investigated the effects of conspecific semiochemical
 tracks, emitted by both males and females and differentiated by mating
 status, on the reproductive performance, biochemical assimilation, and
 antioxidant enzyme activities of female Parthenium beetles, Zygogramma
 bicolorata Pallister. Results revealed that the exposure to semiochemical
 cues significantly reduced both fecundity and egg viability in Z.
 bicolorata females. Nutrient assimilation, including glucose, proteins,
 and triglycerides, was similarly diminished following exposure to
 semiochemical tracks. While triglyceride assimilation was lowest in the
 presence of tracks from mated adults, glucose and protein assimilation
 were lowest in females exposed to tracks from unmated adults. Moreover,
 key antioxidant enzyme activities, viz., superoxide dismutase, catalase,
 and lipid peroxidation levels were significantly affected. Females reared
 without exposure to semiochemical tracks exhibited the highest enzyme
 activity, with progressively lower levels observed in those exposed to
 tracks from mated males. These findings suggest that conspecific
 semiochemicals, modulated by mating status, play a critical role in
 regulating female reproductive physiology and metabolic status,
 potentially through stress-mediated pathways. Understanding these
 interactions may provide valuable insights into the ecology and management
 of Z. bicolorata populations.
description: # Data from: Conspecific semiochemical tracks on host plants modulate
 reproduction and defense in *Parthenium* beetles Dataset DOI:
 [10.5061/dryad.x69p8czxm](10.5061/dryad.x69p8czxm) ## Description of the
 data and file structure This study investigated the effects of conspecific
 semiochemical tracks—chemical cues deposited by male and female beetles,
 differentiated by their mating status—on various physiological and
 reproductive parameters in female *Zygogramma bicolorata* Pallister,
 commonly known as the Parthenium beetle. Specifically, it assessed the
 influence of these chemical cues on female fecundity and egg viability
 over a 30-day period, following exposure to semiochemical tracks left by
 either unmated or mated males and females. In addition to reproductive
 output, the study examined nutrient assimilation (triglycerides, proteins,
 and glucose levels) in females on the 10th, 20th, 30th, and 40th days
 post-adult emergence. The activity of key antioxidant enzymes—superoxide
 dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT)—was also measured, along with lipid
 peroxidation (LPO) as an indicator of oxidative stress. All measurements
 were conducted under the same semiochemical exposure conditions. The
 dataset is provided in a file titled **Data.xlsx**, comprising four
 spreadsheets: 1. **Male tracks-1**: This dataset includes information on
 female fecundity (eggs laid per day) and egg viability (viable eggs per
 day) over a 30-day period, measured under three conditions: exposure to
 tracks left by unmated males, exposure to tracks left by mated males, and
 a control group without semiochemical exposure. 2. **Male tracks-2**:
 Includes data on nutrient assimilation (triglycerides, proteins, glucose
 in mg/ml) and oxidative stress markers (SOD, CAT, and LPO in U/mg) in
 females measured on days 10, 20, 30, and 40, under exposure to tracks from
 unmated males, mated males, or control conditions. 3. **Female tracks-1**:
 Provides data on fecundity (eggs laid per day) and egg viability (viable
 eggs per day) for females exposed to semiochemical tracks left by unmated
 and mated females over a 30-day period, as well as control conditions. 4.
 **Female tracks-2**: Contains data on nutrient assimilation
 (triglycerides, proteins, glucose in mg/ml) and oxidative stress markers
 (SOD, CAT, and LPO in U/mg) in females measured on days 10, 20, 30, and 40
 under exposure to tracks from unmated females, mated females, or control
 conditions. Understanding the role of semiochemical communication in
 shaping these biological processes provides valuable insights into the
 chemical ecology of *Z. bicolorata*. These findings may also support more
 effective use of this beetle as a biocontrol agent against *Parthenium
 hysterophorus*, a highly invasive weed.