The monogamous reproductive strategy in Lepidoptera

On the basis of literary sources and experimental data, the advantages of a monogamous reproductive strategy are analyzed. Monogamous species of Lepidoptera have no postcopulative mechanisms of control over the success of reproductive sperm competition, cryptic female choice, and, probably, the male’s nuptial gift. Selection of the sex partner and of the quality of the future generation is determined by the precopulative and copulative mechanisms of the reproductive behavior, which include chemocommunication and a “lock-and-key” mechanism. In an experiment with one male and one female, the quota of successful mating can depend on the morphological complication of the genital apparatus of males. Cases are considered of repeated mating for some, usually monogamous, species. In comparison with the variant of the experiment with one male × one female, the frequency of repeated mating increases with the addition of two males to one female but decreases in the presence of two females with one male. A possible reason for the appearance of repeated mating may be the weight of the insect’s body exceeding the average.