Ontogenetic Color Change and Mating Cues in Largus californicus (Hemiptera: Largidae)

Abstract

Largus californicus (Van Duzee) individuals undergo two ontogenetic color changes. First instars are bright red, second through fifth instars are shiny blue-black, and adults are black with orange markings. Adult male mating behavior suggested that the change in color from fifth instars to adults might enable males to discriminate between nymphs and adults. Males mount adults and persist if they have mounted a female, but quickly release if they have mounted another male. Males were never observed to mount nymphs. Female color patterns were altered and male's copulatory attempts were recorded to determine if color pattern was used by males in mating decisions. The null hypothesis that dorsal color pattern does not affect male mating behavior could not be rejected; therefore the significance of the color change from nymph to adult must be sought elsewhere.