Effects of Female Age and Ovarian Development on Mating Behavior in Stenotus rubrovittatus (Heteroptera: Miridae)

Abstract

Abstract In Stenotus rubrovittatus (Heteroptera: Miridae), mating behavior consists of male courtship and female mating receptivity. This behavior was shown previously to be correlated with female age. The ovaries of S. rubmvittatus females start to develop in the absence of mating and the development is correlated with age. Accordingly, the relationships between female age and ovarian development that affect the mating behavior of S. rubrovittatus were examined. Male courtship behavior was most active toward 3-d-old females, and almost all 3-d-old females were receptive to male courtship. The ovaries of 3-d-old females showed either signs of oogenesis or the presence of mature eggs. Fifty percent of the males courted females regardless of the stage of ovarian developmental stage, whereas almost all of females with undeveloped ovaries refused male courtship. However, the fraction of males exhibiting courtship behavior and receptive females peaked after the start of oogenesis, These results suggest that S. rubrovittatus males are able to sense, and thus to court, females whose ovaries are at least partially developed. In some heteropterans, including S. rubrovittatus, some ovarian development is needed in order for mating to occur.