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Factors Influencing Mate Choice in Euschistus conspersus Uhler (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae)

The patterns of mating and possible factors influencing mate choice in the consperse stink bug, Euschistus conspersus Uhler, were studied in a series of laboratory experiments. Males were found to transfer a significant percentage of their body mass during the initial mating. Mating was also found t...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Environmental entomology 2008-02, Vol.37 (1), p.192-197
Main Authors: Krupke, Christian H, Brunner, Jay F, Jones, Vincent P
Format: Article
Language:English
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Summary:The patterns of mating and possible factors influencing mate choice in the consperse stink bug, Euschistus conspersus Uhler, were studied in a series of laboratory experiments. Males were found to transfer a significant percentage of their body mass during the initial mating. Mating was also found to reduce male longevity by 37.8% but had no significant effect on female longevity or fecundity. There was no evidence of male or female choice based on weight of potential mating partners. There was assortative mating based on experience, however, with males mating preferentially with virgin females and females preferring mated males when given the choice. The implications of these findings within the mating dynamics of this aggregating species are discussed.
ISSN:0046-225X
1938-2936
DOI:10.1603/0046-225X%282008%2937%5B192%3AFIMCIE%5D2.0.CO%3B2