Publication Type: | Journal Article |
: | 2009 |
Authors: | C. D. Flay, He, X. Z., Wang, Q. |
Journal: | New Zealand Plant Protection |
Volume: | 62 |
Pagination: | 76-79 |
Date Published: | 2009 |
: | 1175-9003 |
: | Sitophilus oryzae |
: | The rice weevil, Sitophilus oryzae (L.) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) is a major pest of stored grains throughout the world. This experiment examined the capacity of male S. oryzae to adjust their mating behaviour in response to male density (i.e. 1, 5 and 10 males) maintained with a single female. Results show that males spent less time in courting females with antennal contact at density 1 when compared to densities 5 and 10. Copulation duration increased in response to the increase in rival densities. The mechanism behind this phenomenon may be (1) a mate guarding strategy to enhance reproductive success by reducing the chance of sperm displacement by competitors and (2) a strategy to avoid damage to the reproductive organs of their mates by multiple mating. |
Influence of male density on the courtship and mating duration of male rice weevils, Sitophilus oryzae
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