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OPPORTUNISTIC FEEDING BY THE FEMALE TREE CRICKET, OECANTHUS NIGRICORNIS (ORTHOPTERA: GRYLLIDAE)

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  31 May 2012

Paul D. Bell
Affiliation:
Department of Zoology, Erindale College, University of Toronto, Mississauga, Ontario L5L 1C6

Extract

Intruding Oecanthus nigricornis (Walker) females stole nutritional glandular secretions from males engaged in post-copulatory behavior with their mates. This mating strategy may enhance female reproduction.

Mating behavior of Oecanthus spp. begins with elaborate male courtship involving vibratory, acoustic, and olfactory signalling. The female mounts the male, with copulation occurring soon after. During courtship and after copulation the female remains mounted and is provided with male metanotal glandular secretions. These nutritional secretions and the consumed spermatophore increase reproduction (Bell 1979; in press).

Type
Articles
Copyright
Copyright © Entomological Society of Canada 1980

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References

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