An analytical study of coitus in Aedes aegypti (Linnaeus).

Abstract

AbstractPre‐copulatory behavior of male Aedes involves pursuit, tarsal contact, ventral orientation, and terminalial contact. Copulation itself involves seizure of the female's cerci by the male's claspers, extension of the male's paraprocts, erection of the aedeagus, and ejaculation. The male's ability to copulate is prevented by damaging or removing his seventh abdominal segment. If this segment is left intact, his freshly removed abdomen can copulate with a freshly isolated female's abdomen when their terminalia are rubbed together appropriately. The male's genital apparatus accurately “recognizes” the terminalium of an inseminated female, and forced‐copulation cannot be induced. The claws at the ends of the male's claspers are inserted into the bases of the female's cerci. The thumbs of the apical paraprocts of the male fit into a temporary coital cavity within the upper vagina. The hooks of the male's apical paraprocts are inserted into the female's cloacal hollow. The teeth on the distal end of the aedeagus ratchet into the teeth on the dorsal vaginal valve and evert the upper vagina. The posterior ends of the seminal vesicles and accessory glands open and contractions of these organs release seminal material only into the bursa of the female.