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CONTRASTS IN THE TERRITORIAL BEHAVIOUR OF THREE SPECIES OF HOVER FLIES (DIPTERA: SYRPHIDAE)

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  31 May 2012

Shelia M. Fitzpatrick  and
William G. Wellington
Shelia M. Fitzpatrick
Affiliation:
Institute of Animal Resource Ecology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver V6T 1W5
William G. Wellington
Affiliation:
Institute of Animal Resource Ecology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver V6T 1W5
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Abstract

Among territorial syrphids, males of Eumerus tuberculatus (Rond.) are less aggressive than Merodon equestris (Fab.) and Eristalis tenax (L.) males. This difference in aggressiveness persists even when territorial pressures increase with increasing numbers of conspecifics.

Males of each species recognized conspecific females mainly by a combination of visual and behavioural cues. A territorial male might approach any intruder, but would only attempt to mate if, like the appropriate female, the intruder did not respond to the male's approach. Differences in behavioural patterns may be due to different mating strategies.

Résumé

Chez les syrphidés territoriaux, les mâles d'Eumerus tuberculatus (Rond.) sont moins agressifs que les mâles de l'espèce Merodon equestris (Fab.) ainsi que ceux d'Eristalis tenax (L.). Même lorsque les pressions territoriales augmentent avec une augmentation du nombre des individuels, cette différence d'aggressivité continue.

Les mâles reconnaissent les femelles de leur espèce par des indices visuels et par le comportement de ces femelles. Un mâle territorial peut s'approcher de tout intrus, mais ne tentera de s'accoupler que si l'intrus demeure indifférent à ses avances, comme le ferait une femelle de l'espèce convenable. Les différences au niveau du comportement peuvent être causées par des stratégies d'accouplement distinctes.

Type
Articles
Information
The Canadian Entomologist , Volume 115 , Issue 5 , May 1983 , pp. 559 - 566
Copyright
Copyright © Entomological Society of Canada 1983

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