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Back to List of Background & Research Materials Evans,
D. A. & R. W. Matthews
COMPARATIVE
COURTSHIP BEHAVIOUR IN TWO SPECIES OF THE PARASITIC CHALCID WASP Melittobia (HYMENOPTERA: EULOPHIDAE) Animal Behaviour, 1976, 24:
46 - 51. Abstract. Timing and form of courtship behaviour elements constitute a major isolating mechanism for two morphologically similar parasitic wasps. Because males are blind, the complex courtship of Melittobia chalybii and a new as yet undescribed species previously confused with it, designated as M. sp. A, depends upon tactile and chemical cues. In both species, after the female orients to the male's abdomen, the male turns in the direction of contact and mounts. However, chalybii males antennate females continuously, lifting mesothoracic legs at regular intervals, while in sp. A male antennation alternates with metathoracic leg pumping. Courtship and copulation duration are greater in chalybii than in sp. A. Melittobia Species Mentioned: Melittobia chalybii (= M. australica); M. sp. A (= M. evansi) . Comments. This paper shows drawings of the male and female antennae of both species. It also shows courtship behavior reaction chains, schematic drawings of both sexes, and event recorder traces comparing the leg-lift phase for both species. A table shows average frequency and duration of selected courtship activity phases for both species. |