Mating behaviour of Phaulacridium vittatum Sjoestedt (Orthoptera: Acrididae).; Mating behaviour of Phaulacridium vittatum Sjoestedt (Orthoptera: Acrididae)

The mating behaviour of Phaulacridium vittatum , a non-acoustic acridid of Australia, was observed under laboratory conditions. Femur-tipping by males was common. Males mounted any active grasshopper that moved nearby. However, males appeared to use the size of a mounted individual as a basis for se...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of the Australian Entomological Society 1991-01, Vol.30 (3), p.221-229
Main Author: Bland, R G
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Acrididae
Orthoptera
Phaulacridium vittatum
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Summary:The mating behaviour of Phaulacridium vittatum , a non-acoustic acridid of Australia, was observed under laboratory conditions. Femur-tipping by males was common. Males mounted any active grasshopper that moved nearby. However, males appeared to use the size of a mounted individual as a basis for sex identification because they remained mounted only on females or on males whose thorax or abdomen were broadened to that of a female. A male's copulatory attempts continued when his antennae, mouthparts, cerci or tarsi were amputated, and antennectomised males remained mounted longer. Males and females were compared for agonistic behaviour of brachypterous and macropterous forms.
ISSN:0004-9050