Observations on the mating behavior of male Stictia heros (Hymenoptera: Sphecidae)

Males of the neotropical sand wasp Stictia heros (Fabr.) displayed territorial behavior in female nesting areas, presumably to gain access to newly eclosed virgin females. Males hovered above a fixed point of the beach and defended small areas (1 m2) with rapid flights at all intruders. Observations...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The Florida entomologist 1994-03, Vol.77 (1), p.99-104
Main Authors: Villalobos, E.M, Shelly, T.E
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Ambient temperature
Beaches
Censuses
COMPORTAMIENTO SEXUAL
COMPORTEMENT SEXUEL
COSTA RICA
Entomology
Hymenoptera
MACHO
MALE
MALES
Mating behavior
Nesting sites
SEXUAL BEHAVIOUR
SPHECIDAE
TERRITORIALITY
Thermocouples
Thermoregulation
Thorax
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Summary:Males of the neotropical sand wasp Stictia heros (Fabr.) displayed territorial behavior in female nesting areas, presumably to gain access to newly eclosed virgin females. Males hovered above a fixed point of the beach and defended small areas (1 m2) with rapid flights at all intruders. Observations of marked individuals revealed that males defend the same site for at least several days. Unlike head and abdominal temperatures, the thoracic temperature of males varied independently of ambient temperature, indicating active thermoregulation of the flight muscles. Differences between our results and those of Larsson (1989) are discussed. /// Los machos de la avispa perforadora del suelo neotropical Stictia heros (Fabr.) mostró comportamiento territorial en áreas de nidos de hembras, presumiblemente para lograr acceso a hembras virgenes nuevamente emergidas. Los machos revolotearon arriba de puntos fijos en la playa y defendieron areas pequenas (1 m2) con vuelos rápidos a todos los intrusos. Observaciones de individuos marcados revelaron que los machos defienden el mismo sitio por varios dias. Contrario a las temperaturas abdominales y de la cabeza, la temperatura toracica de los machos variaba independientemente de la temperatura ambiental, indicando termoregulación activa de los músculos de vuelo. Se discuten algunas differencias entre nuestros resultados y los de Larsson (1989).
ISSN:0015-4040
1938-5102
DOI:10.2307/3495876