1. An optimal timing for diapause induction through the sexual production of dormant propagules is expected in organisms with temporary populations. Yet, empirical studies often find high within-population genetic variation in the sexual production of such propagules, suggesting that this is a common feature of such organisms.
2. Here, we hypothesize that genetic variation in the propensity to produce dormant propagules, P_d, is maintained by a genotype-by-environment interaction in clonal reproductive rates, where fast-growing genotypes within an environment should delay diapause relative to slow-growing genotypes. From this, we derive two predictions. First, if reaction norms of clonal reproduction cross between two environments, the genetic correlation of P_d between these environments should be negative. Second, the correlation between plasticity values of clonal reproduction and P_d should be negative.
3. We tested these predictions by quantifying ephippia production in genotypes of a population of the facultative sexual cladoceran Daphnia magna at two temperatures. The population biomass at the onset of ephippia production was used as a measure of P_d, whereas juvenile somatic growth rate was used as a proxy for clonal reproductive rate. Plasticity for both measurements was derived from thermal reaction norms.
4. Our results did not support either prediction, as neither the genetic correlation of P_d between environments, nor the correlation between plasticity values of growth and P_d were found to be significant.
5. Our results suggest that genetic variation in the timing of diapause is not maintained by genetic differences in thermal clonal reproduction reaction norms. We propose as an alternative hypothesis that if there is across year variation in how stochastically the environment deteriorates, fluctuating selection may favor genotypes with different P_d between years.

Data from a laboratory experiment on the relationship between genetic variation in thermal growth performance and diapause induction.