Abstract
We examined alternative reproductive tactics in males of the wool-carder bee, Anthidium manicatum. Males either patrolled and defended well defined floral territories or wandered between them. Territory owners were larger than wanderers, large territory owners copulated more frequently than small territory owners, and males replacing removed territory owners were smaller than the original owners. These results indicate plasticity in the reproductive behavior of male A. manicatum, the expression and success of which is ultimately determined by body size relative to other males in the population. Although female visitation frequency was similar on sites defended by large and small territory owners, large males copulated more frequently. Thus, our data raise the possibility that females are not passive participants in mating behavior but rather are actively choosing larger males.
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