Expulsion and consumption of male ejaculates by promiscous female Euxesta eluta and Euxesta mazorca (Diptera: Ulidiidae)

Abstract

While expulsion of male ejaculates by the females after copulation has been reported for various animal groups, expulsion followed by consumption of the expelled ejaculate is a rare behaviour outside spermatophylax-producing orthopterans. Among Diptera, this behaviour has been reported for a few species of Piophilidae, Empididae and Ulidiidae. Here we report on its occurrence among Euxesta eluta and Euxesta mazorca (Diptera: Ulidiidae). We also attempt to characterize the mating system of E. eluta in order to facilitate future hypothesis testing to understand the behavioural factors leading to the evolution of this peculiar behaviour. For this, courtship sequences, copulation duration, frequency of ejaculate expulsion and subsequent consumption, and latency to ejaculate expulsion for both E. eluta and E. mazorca were recorded. The time of sexual maturation, the time window of sexual receptivity during the day, and the mating frequency and variance in mating success for males and females (degree of polygamy) were determined for E. eluta. Both E. eluta and E. mazorca males engaged in elaborate courtship sequences involving visual and tactile displays before copulation. Females of both species almost invariably expelled and consumed ejaculates after copulation. Female E. eluta, required a 6- to 9-day period feeding on protein and sugar before becoming sexually receptive. Reproductive activity occurred continuously over the day with an early morning and late afternoon peak. Both males and females could mate multiply, with multiple partners over a 2-h observational period. Sexual network analysis revealed that some males and females had greater mating success than others. Ejaculate consumption appears to be widespread in the genus Euxesta. It is possible that females obtain nutrients from this behaviour while exerting some control over egg fertilization.