Surface wave communication during courtship in the giant water bug, Abedus indentatus (Heteroptera: Belostomatidae)

During courtship displays, males of the giant water bug, Abedus indentatus, perform a "pumping" display primarily at the water surface. Average time per display bout was 18.4 sec. Average display cycle (bout and rest period) was 47 sec. Wave patterns generated by the display averaged betwe...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of the Kansas Entomological Society 1989-07, Vol.62 (3), p.316-328
Main Author: Kraus, W.F. (International Biotechnologies, Inc. New Haven, CT)
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Abedus indentatus
ANIMAL AQUATIQUE
ANIMALES ACUATICOS
AQUATIC ANIMALS
BEHAVIOUR
Belostomatidae
COMPORTAMIENTO
COMPORTAMIENTO SEXUAL
COMPORTEMENT
COMPORTEMENT SEXUEL
Electrodes
Entomology
Female animals
Freshwater
HEMIPTERA
Male animals
MATING BEHAVIOR
Pumping
Pumps
SEXUAL BEHAVIOUR
Spiders
Surface waves
Waves
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Summary:During courtship displays, males of the giant water bug, Abedus indentatus, perform a "pumping" display primarily at the water surface. Average time per display bout was 18.4 sec. Average display cycle (bout and rest period) was 47 sec. Wave patterns generated by the display averaged between 3 and 4 Hz. Males which displayed longer than opponents in pairwise trials obtained more copulations. Fighting increased the relative difference in display times. Analysis of female movements indicated that females were attracted to the signal source. The latency of female attraction to a mechanical model designed to mimic the surface waves was inversely proportional to female gravidity.
ISSN:0022-8567
1937-2353