Insect Reproduction Flashcards
Sexual Selection
A type of natural selection that results from the struggle to get mated
Male Competition
Male vs Male; benefits males more
Creates exaggerated male features
Mate Choice
(usually females choice) benefits females more
Creates exaggerated male features
Courting Strategies
Sexual pheromones
Females release pheromones to indicate receptivity
Ex: Males having more plumose antennea to sence this
Courting Strategies
Stridulation
Friction of two body parts to create noise for communication
Courting Strategies
Dancing
Dancing; Ex: Jumping spiders
Courting Strategies
Nuptial Gifts
Typically food given to the female, it also increases the males survival at times
Courting Strategies
Trickery and Deceit
Ex: Empty gifts or dugging
Courting Strategies
Mate Guarding
Ex: Love Bugs sticking together to ensure they are the others only or last mate
Spermatophore
Sperm packet that serves as a plug.
* Costly to produce
* Help ensure paternity
* Nutrition? Or Manipulation?
Traumatic insemination
Sperm is injected in places besides the uterus
Ex: Bed Bugs
Parental care
Some insects take care of their young
* Giant water bug carries eggs on its back
* Earwigs feed babies but are sometimes cannibalistic
