Mating Behavior of Mahanarva spectabilis (Hemiptera: Cercopidae) Under Laboratory Conditions

The mating behavior of Mahanarva spectabilis (Distant) was studied under laboratory conditions. Virgin adults were individually maintained in transparent cages for observation of the mating sequence. Mating behavior of 23 couples was monitored during the photophase portion of the day. Copulation was observed in 17 of the 23 pairs. The mating sequence includes male approaching the female, mounting of the female, and copulation. Of the 17 mating pairs, 70.6 % mated on the second day after emergence. Most of the copulations began between 8 and 9 h after the onset of photophase. The average duration of copulation was 268?±?24.9 min, and most pairs mated once or twice during their lifetimes. The mating behavior of M. spectabilis is important to understand because it determines the age and ideal time for further behavioral testing, which is essential for determining the cues involved in the communication system of the species.