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Copulation duration and probability of insemination in Anthocoris whitei (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae) as a function of male body size

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  31 May 2012

David R. Horton ,
Tamera M. Lewis  and
Tonya Hinojosa
David R. Horton*
Affiliation:
USDA-ARS, 5230 Konnowac Pass Road, Wapato, Washington, United States 98951
Tamera M. Lewis
Affiliation:
USDA-ARS, 5230 Konnowac Pass Road, Wapato, Washington, United States 98951
Tonya Hinojosa
Affiliation:
USDA-ARS, 5230 Konnowac Pass Road, Wapato, Washington, United States 98951
*
1 Author to whom all correspondence should be addressed (E-mail: [email protected]).
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Abstract

The influence of male and female body size on copulation duration and probability of insemination was determined for Anthocoris whitei Reuter allowed to mate at two temperatures. Copulation duration decreased significantly with increasing male length or increasing relative size (male length divided by female length). Female length had no effect on copulation duration. We interrupted copulation at 20 or 40 min at both 25 and 15 °C to determine the interacting effects of male size, temperature, and copulation duration on probability of insemination. Insemination probabilities increased with increasing male size, increasing temperature, and increased duration of copulation. Large males were more successful than small males at inseminating females at cool temperatures and for severely shortened copulations. Results are consistent with the hypothesis that males of this species experience physical difficulties either in achieving intromission or in forcing sperm through the aedeagus, and that larger body size in males lessens these difficulties.

Résumé

L’influence de la taille du corps du mâle et de la femelle sur la durée de l’accouplement et sur la probabilité d’insémination a été examinée chez des punaises Anthocoris whitei Reuter libres de s’accoupler, à deux températures. La durée de l’accouplement est fonction inverse de la longueur du mâle ou de la taille relative (rapport longueur du mâle sur longueur de la femelle). La longueur de la femelle n’affecte pas la durée de l’accouplement. Nous avons interrompu des accouplements après 20 ou 40 min, à 25 et 15 °C pour déterminer les effets interactifs de la taille du mâle, de la température et de la durée de l’accouplement sur la probabilité d’insémination. La probabilité augmente en fonction de la taille du mâle, de la température et de la durée de l’accouplement. Les grands mâles réussissent mieux à inséminer les femelles par temps frais, au cours d’accouplements très raccourcis. Les résultats confirment l’hypothèse selon laquelle les mâles de cette espèce éprouvent des difficultés physiques à pénétrer la femelle ou à projeter le sperme par l’édéage, et une grande taille peut contribuer à diminuer ces difficultés.

[Traduit par la Rédaction]

Type
Articles
Information
The Canadian Entomologist , Volume 133 , Issue 1 , February 2001 , pp. 109 - 117
Copyright
Copyright © Entomological Society of Canada 2001

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