Observations on the mating behavior of the alfalfa blotch leafminer,Agromyza frontella (Rondani) (Diptera: Agromyzidae), and evidence of a female sex pheromone

The mating behavior of Agromyza frontella was studied under laboratory conditions. Adults were able to mate on the day of emergence, with no evident periodicity throughout the photophase. The host plant was essential for mating to occur, its presence affecting female receptivity rather than male copulatory behavior. Males generally entered a stationary phase once in the proximity of a female, before undertaking a final approach. This stationary behavior frequently resulted in male aggregations around a female, and under such conditions males exhibited a characteristic wing vibrating behavior. As male wing vibration was not an essential behavior for successful mating, and rarely occurred during male encounters in the absence of females or when only one male was near a female, it was considered as being primarily a male-male signal. The majority of females that mated exhibited an ovipositor pumping behavior that stimulated the male approach. However, such behavior was not essential to attract mates, as dead females elicited the entire sequence of male mating behavior. This suggested the presence of a cuticular sex pheromone, as reported for other species of higher Diptera. Whole virgin female (<24- h or 3- day-old) hexane extracts applied to male cadavers increased the time males spent on the plant, the number of contacts with the treated cadavers, the incidence of attempted copulations, and the wing vibrating behavior between males compared with controls using untreated cadavers. The results obtained indicate that females control copulation in A. frontella and that both semiochemical and visual cues are important in eliciting male mating behavior.     

Male copulatory patterns in the lesser bushbaby (Galago moholi) in captivity

I observed seven pairs of sexually mature, captiveGalago moholi during the females’ ovarian cycles to determine the pattern of male copulatory behavior and its relationship to female receptivity. In this species, a copulatory lock was not apparent, a variety of thrusting patterns was displayed, and the male was capable of ejaculating following a single mount and intromission and may have ejaculated more than once during the 30-min test. Male mating indices did not differ significantly on consecutive days of the mating period, though declines in certain mating latencies on the second and third days of mating suggested increased female receptivity. Mating indices did not differ notably between the first and the second copulation within a test, though both showed some differences compared to the third copulation. InG. moholi, male copulatory behavior is typical of a prosimian species with a dispersed — nongregarious — mating system, in which copulation has a single prolonged intromission that extends into the postejaculatory period. This is characteristic of species in which more than one male has access to an estrous female.     

Male mate choice and the potential for complex mating dynamics in the tree lizard (Urosaurus ornatus)

A growing body of literature is recognizing that males may also play a role in the mating process by behaving non‐randomly toward potential female mates during courtship. In numerous species, discrete color polymorphisms in males are inferred to represent alternative mating tactics, which often correspond with concomitant asymmetries in ecology and behavior. In terms of their mating behavior, these ecological outcomes of a color polymorphism should affect a morph's likelihood and frequency of encountering females in a population, possibly favoring the evolution of morph‐specific mating preferences. Knowledge of how male morphs contribute to a species’ overall mating dynamics will improve our understanding of how sexual selection shapes phenotypic diversity in color polymorphic systems. We conducted a mate choice experiment to evaluate the extent and morph specificity of non‐random mating preferences by male ornate tree lizards, Urosaurus ornatus. We observed the behavior of blue and yellow males in an experimental arena in response to a choice between an orange or yellow female. We found that blue males preferred yellow females over orange females, and although yellow males visited females more often than blue males overall, their attention was not morph‐specific. Given male morph differences in choosiness, and their differences in social dominance, we conclude that female throat color may be partly under sexual selection in U. ornatus. However, a lack of concordance between male and female mating preferences (drawn from an earlier study) suggests that overall mating dynamics may serve to maintain, rather than enhance, color morph differences in this species.     

Differences in Mating Propensity Between Immature Female Color Morphs in the Damselfly Ischnura elegans (Insecta: Odonata)

Female-limited color polymorphisms occur in a variety of animal taxa where excessive male sexual harassment may explain the coexistence of multiple female color morphs. In the color polymorphic damselfly Ischnura elegans, mature and immature female color morphs coexist at the mating site where males are in search for suitable mating partners. Here, we study male preference and female mating propensity for the two immature female morphs. As would be expected, compared to mature morphs, both immature female morphs mate much less. Within immature females, one morph consistently mates more frequently compared to the other morph, a pattern that is similar for the ontogenetically corresponding mature female morphs. Preference experiments with the two differently colored immature female morphs, however, did not indicate male mate preference for either morph. Low mating frequencies of immature females at natural sites in combination with relatively high attractiveness of immature models in terms of male preference indicate that female behavior influences female mating success.     

Mating behavior in the tydeid miteHomeopronematus anconai (Acari: Tydeidae)

The mating behavior ofHomeopronematus (Pronematus) anconai (Baker) is described. This is the first report of direct sperm transfer in the family Tydeidae (Acari: Actinedida). Male guarding of pharate females and male agonistic behavior was observed. Successful mating occurred only during the first day of active female life. Specialized male structures, a hook on femur IV and a modified seta on genu IV, were examined by scanning electron microscope. These structures appear to be involved in holding the female during copulation.     

Lek Behavior as the Mating Strategy of Setellia sp. (Diptera: Richardiidae)

A field study revealed that the mating system of the richardiid Setellia sp. meets even the most stringent definition of lek behavior. Males remain on the upper surface of the leaves of Saranthe aff. klotzchiana (Maranthaceae), where they perform ritualized displays related to courtship and territorial behavior. Correlational data support the existence of reproductive dominance hierarchies, which are based on both male vs. male and female vs. female agonistic interactions. Curiously, the behavioral acts performed by Setellia sp. show remarkable similarities to other nonrelated dipteran lekkers. Aspects of evolution and convergence of these behaviors in the Acalyptratae are considered.     

Mating behavior of Psammotettix alienus (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae)

The Wheat dwarf virus, the causal agent of the wheat dwarf disease, is transmitted by leafhoppers from the genus Psammotettix and currently the main protection strategy is based on the use of insecticide treatments. Sustainable management strategies for insect vectors should include methods that are targeted to disrupt reproductive behavior and here we investigated the mating behavior of Psammotettix alineus (Dahlbom 1850) in order to determine the role of vibrational signals in intra‐specific communication and pair formation. Both genders spontaneously emit species‐ and sex‐specific calling songs that consisted of regularly repeated pulse trains and differ primarily in pulse train duration and pulse repetition time. Females preferred the conspecific male calling song. After a coordinated exchange of pulse trains, the male approached the stationary female. During the close range courtship and also immediately prior to copulatory attempts distinct male vibrational signals associated with wing flapping and wing vibrations were recorded from the substrate. In the presence of a receptive female, competing males emitted vibrational signals most likely aimed to interfere with male‐female interaction. Mated females regained sexual receptivity after they laid eggs. Although results suggest that the viruliferous status of insects may have an effect on vibrational songs, our current results did not reveal a significant effect of virus on leafhopper performance in mating behavior. However, this study also suggests, that detailed understanding of plant–vector–virus interactions relevant for vector mating behavior is essential for trying new approaches in developing future control practices against plant viruses transmitted by insect vectors.     

Mating Behavior of Trissolcus basalis (Wollaston) (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae): Potential for Outbreeding in a Predominantly Inbreeding Species

The mating behavior of the quasi-gregarious egg parasitoid Trissolcus basalis (Wollaston) was investigated under field conditions. Trissolcus basalis has female-biased sex ratios and is a protandrous species, with males emerging 1–2 days before females. Males competed aggressively for control of the egg mass, with one male assuming dominance and control of the egg mass, although changes in dominance occurred at least once on each egg mass observed. Typical mating behavior involved the dominant male mating his sisters immediately upon their emergence from the egg mass. These behaviors are characteristic of an inbreeding species that manifests local mate competition. However, several aspects of the mating behavior of T. basalis are inconsistent with that of an inbreeding species. Over 18% of emerging females were not mated by the dominant male upon emergence, 13% of females were not observed to be mated at all and may have left their natal site as virgins, 25% of females were mated multiple times and sometimes by multiple males, females remained near the natal site for up to several hours after emergence before emigrating, and males dispersed away from the natal site during female emergence. Trissolcus basalis may be a predominantly inbreeding species but its emergence and mating behavior suggest that low-frequency outbreeding is also likely to occur.     

Zur Fortpflanzungsbiologie vonLineus viridis (Nemertini)

The fertilization of the heteronemerteanLineus viridis Müller takes place in a cocoon built up by the female surrounding itself and the male. After the male has left the cocoon, the female builds a mucous layer within the cocoon, in which the fertilized eggs enclosed in egg capsules are embedded. Observations on mating behavior and spawning are described and discussed.     

Sexual Cannibalism in the Brown Widow Spider (Latrodectus geometricus)

Sexual cannibalism may represent an extreme form of male monogamy. According to this view, males gain reproductive success by sacrificing themselves to females. We studied the occurrence and timing of sexual cannibalism in the brown widow spider Latrodectus geometricus and compared male courtship and mating behavior with virgin and with previously mated females. We found that events of sexual cannibalism are frequent, that they occur during copulation and that males initiate cannibalism by placing the abdomen in front of the female’s mouth‐parts during copulation (somersault behavior). Both the somersaults and mating occurred more frequently with virgins than with previously mated females. Our results support the hypothesis that sexual cannibalism is a male strategy in this species. The somersault behavior was previously known only from the redback spider, Latrodectus hasselti. It is as yet unknown whether self‐sacrifice has evolved more than once in this genus.     

Singing on the wings! Male wing fanning performances affect female willingness to copulate in the aphid parasitoid Lysiphlebus testaceipes (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Aphidiinae)

Lysiphlebus testaceipes (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Aphidiinae) is a generalist endoparasitoid attacking more than 100 aphid species. In L. testaceipes, wing fanning is a main male courtship display evoked by a female‐borne sex pheromone. However, no information is available on the characteristics and behavioral role of male fanning during courtship in this parasitoid. Here, the courtship behavior of a wild strain of L. testaceipes was quantified and the male wing fanning performances were analyzed through high‐speed video recordings and examined in relation to mating success. Courtship sequence of wild L. testaceipes did not substantially differ from that previously reported for other populations mass reared on aphids. We observed that the male courtship duration did not affect mating success. However, video analysis revealed that the males producing high‐frequency fanning signals achieved higher mating success over those that display low‐frequency fanning. Wing fanning before successful and unsuccessful courtship differed in amplitude of wing movements and alignment toward the mate, highlighting that frontal courtship positively influence the female mating decisions. This study increases knowledge on sexual behavior in a key parasitoid of aphids, highlighting the importance of wing fanning among the range of sensory modalities used in the sexual communication of L. testaceipes. From a practical point of view, this information is useful in L. testaceipes‐based biocontrol strategies, since it can help to establish parameters for quality checking of mass‐reared wasps over time.     

Interactions Between Swarming Chironomus annularius (Diptera: Chironomidae) Males: Role of Acoustic Behavior

Males of swarming species of chironomids use their auditory system (Johnston's organs) to recognize a female within swarm and do not respond to male flight tones. However, in some cases the male–male interactions were observed at a high frequency. The role of acoustic behavior in this phenomenon in C. annularius was studied. The results showed that male Johnston's organs were sensitive to male flight tones from a distance of about 1–1.5 cm. The carrier frequencies of these sounds negatively correlated with male body size. Thus we would expect that male–male interactions will occur mainly between large males. Nonetheless, the analysis of caught pairs revealed that in both male–male and female–male interactions small males had an advantage. The ability of males to perceive the male flight tones is discussed with respect to swarming behavior and mating success.     

Cockroach mating behaviors,sex pheromones,and abdominal glands (Dictyoptera: Blaberidae)

Two chemical signals are essential in all cockroach sexual behavioral sequences: the sex pheromone released by one partner, generally the female (for long distance attraction), and an aphrodisiac sex pheromone produced exclusively by male tergal glands (for female mounting and tergal contact or feeding behavior). Unlike the other cockroach groups, the males of the Oxyhaloinae species produce both chemical signals: the pheromone and the aphrodisiac. The occurrence of three patterns of mating behavior (A, B, and C), the production of male sex pheromones, and the existence in the male of developed sternal and tergal glands in seven related Oxyhaloinae species, make these cockroaches a useful model for studying the evolution of mating behavior patterns. The various types of mating behavior were not classified in the previous studies by Roth and Barth. In this report, they have been named type A (female in upper position), B (male in upper position), and C (male and female end to end). In type A mating, the male tergal glands, which are licked by the females, are well developed, whereas in types B and C, there is no licking of the male's tergal secretion by the females and the tergal glands are much less developed; the aphrodisiacs secreted by the tergal glands may no longer act in this case through contact chemoreception, but through an olfactory process involving volatile components. One common sex pheromone component seems to be acetoin. I suggest that the mating behavior tends from A toward B and C during the evolutionary process with a concomitant regression of the tergal glands and changes in the aphrodisiac emission levels. The mating behavioral sequences of cockroaches (Dictyoptera) and crickets (Orthoptera) show a striking degree of similarity and are probably examples of convergent evolution.     

橘小实蝇交配行为观察

在实验室内对橘小实蝇Bactrocera dorsalis（Hendel）的交配行为进行了观察。描述了橘小实蝇交配中雄虫的“求偶场”,雄雄相遇、雌雌相遇、雌雄相遇时的相互反应,雌雄虫的交配行为与交配后行为。     

Female sexual behavior in the absence of male-male competition in captive Japanese macaques (Macaca fuscata)

A captive group of Japanese macaques (Macaca fuscata). consisting of one adult male and three adult females, was observed for 88 hr during the 1988 mating season. We focused on the group's sexual activities because understanding how social dynamics affect reproductive behavior may enhance our ability to establish self-sustaining captive populations. The adult male exhibited distinct preferences in copulation partners, although all females were receptive and cycled during the study period. The dominant female participated in the most copulations and successfully harassed and disrupted copulations between the male and the other females. The alpha female, therefore, actively constrained the formation of mating pairs. Further, the male did not consort with his year-round female grooming partner. This female, the least dominant member of the group, engaged in the most autosexual and homosexual behavior. Birth season data show that only the dominant female bore offspring. This study emphasizes the influence of social dynamics on a group's reproductive potential and suggests an alternative means by which females can influence consort formation.     

Mating behavior ofXylotrechus pyrrhoderus Bates (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) V. Female mounting behavior

Female mounting behavior was observed in the grape borerXylotrechus pyrrhoderus Bates (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) under laboratory conditions. This behavior was directed towards either females (i.e., female homosexual mounting) or males. The female homosexual mounting was strongly elicited in females which had previously been allowed to fly. The frequency of this behavior was not related to the experience of mating. The investigation of the daily temporal pattern in female homosexual mounting activity indicated that the behavior most frequently occurred between 12∶00 and 16∶00, i.e., when females were searching for the pheromone-releasing males. Oviposition was also observed during this time interval. A detailed analysis revealed female mounting behaviors which are characteristic of male mounting behaviors, such as chasing conspecifics and synchronism of licking and abdominal bending. On the other hand, the frequency of male homosexual mounting was lower than that of females. Taken together with cases of other species previously reported, the expression of mounting behavior in females may be related to the evolution of the reproductive system, in which females approach their mates.     

Courtship song, male agonistic encounters, and female mate choice in the house cricket,Acheta domesticus (Orthoptera: Gryllidae)

Whether female crickets choose among males based on characteristics of the courtship song is uncertain, but in many species, males not producing courtship song do not mate. In the house cricket,Acheta domesticus, we examined whether a female chose or rejected a male based on his size, latency to chirp, latency to produce courtship song, or rate of the high-frequency pulse of courtship song (“court rate”). We confirmed that females mated only with males that produced courtship song, but we found no evidence that the other factors we measured affected a female’s decision to mate. In addition, we investigated whether the outcome of male agonistic encounters affected the subsequent production of courtship song. In one experiment, we observed courtship and mating behavior when a single female was placed with a pair of males following a 10-min interaction period between the two males. Winners of male agonistic encounters had higher mating success. However, winners and losers of agonistic encounters were not different in their likelihood or latency to produce courtship song or in the number of times they were disrupted by the other male in the pair. In a second experiment, we allowed two males to interact for a 10-min period, but following this interaction period, we placed a female with each male separately and observed courtship and mating behavior. The mating success of winners and losers was not different under these circumstances, and we found no differences between winners and losers in any subsequent courtship or mating behavior examined. We conclude that winning agonistic encounters influences a male’s mating success in ways other than his production of courtship song and this effect is lost when winning and losing males are separated and each is given an opportunity to mate.     

Male Mating Success in the Presence of a Conspecific Opponent in a Madagascar Hissing Cockroach,Gromphadorhina portentosa (Dictyoptera: Blaberidae)

The influence of a conspecific competitor on male mating behavior was examined in a Madagascar hissing cockroach, Gromphadorhina portentosa. Previous studies have suggested that both male-male competition and female discrimination during courtship interactions may influence male mating success. Familiar pairs of males with a known social association were placed in an arena with a single virgin female and observed. As expected, subordinate males mated significantly less often than their dominant opponents. In pairs in which one male mated, dominant individuals limited the access of subordinates to females. Dominant males displayed an increased frequency and duration of interaction with the female. However, in pairs where both males remained unmated, the mating behavior of dominant and subordinate males did not differ significantly. As interactions progressed, as in the case of males that remained unmated, subordinate males gained increased access to the female. Mated males tended to be larger than their opponent although within a rank, males that mated were no larger than those that remained unmated. These results are discussed in light of the possible roles of male-male competition and female discrimination during courtship interactions.     

Sociosexual behavior of a free-ranging Cebuella pygmaea (Callitrichidae,platyrrhini) troop during postpartum estrus of its reproductive female

The sociosexual behavior of a free-ranging Cebuella pygmaea troop containing two adult males was studied throughout a postpartum periestrous period of its reproductive female. A clear-cut male-initiated six-day behavioral estrous period occurred from the 13th through 18th day postpartum, with a two-day peak of mating activity on the 15th and 16th days. Both adult males attempted to mate with the female, but the dominant male maintained exclusive mating access to her by guarding behavior and aggression toward the subordinate male. Estrus-related changes in the daily activity pattern included constant following of the female by the male, increased huddling and grooming between the consorts, a decrease in infant carrying, and suppression of insect foraging in the consorting male. Behaviors seen only during the periestrous period included genital presenting by the female, intensive licking and sniffing of her genitalia by the males, female-guarding by the dominant male, anogenital scent-marking on the male's body by the female, tongue protrusion and “tongue vibrating” by the male, and copulations, play chasing, and “consort walking” by the couple. Within the Callitrichidae, genital presenting and tongue vibrating in sexual context have been observed only in Cebuella.     

Mating behavior and male mating success in wildAnastrepha Ludens (Diptera: Tephritidae) on a field-caged host tree

Mating behavior and factors affecting mating success of males were studied using wild Anastrepha ludens on a fieldcaged host tree. The most common courtship sequence had five components: (1) male calls from the underside of a leaf, (2) female arrives to the maleoccupied leaf, (3) male orients to female and stops calling, (4) one or both approach to a face-to-face position 1–3 cm apart, and (5) male mounts female after 1–2 s. Courtship behavior was almost identical to that of laboratoryculture flies observed previously under laboratory conditions. Most malefemale encounters occurred at a height of 1–2m, well inside the outer canopy of the tree. Differential mating success by males occurred. No male mated more than once per day, owing possibly to a very short sexual activity period. Factors favoring mating success of males were survival ability and tendency to join male aggregations and to fight other males. Thorax length and age (9–11 days difference) had no effects on male copulatory success. Overall win/loss percentage was not related to mating success because the males that were most successful at mating fought mostly among themselves, driving their win/loss percentage down. However, these successful males (at mating) won most of their fights against less successful males. Results confirmed a lek mating system: males aggregated, called, and defended territories; territories did not contain femalerequired resources; and females exercised mate choice, apparently through selection of sites within leks.