Patterns of Mating and Fecundity in Several Common Green Lacewings (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) of Eastern North America

Recently, much interest and innovative research have focussed on the mating systems of animals (Thornhill and Alcock, 1983; Willson and Burley, 1983). Our interpretation and understanding of reproductive behavior, for example, has undergone a metamorphosis in the last few years. In the recent past, such common reproductive activities as courtship were viewed as steps to overcome some sort of physiological threshold in the female of the species (Marler and Hamilton, 1966, chapter 3), or, alternatively, as mechanisms to prevent the interbreeding (hybridization) of different species (Mayr, 1963). However, principally since the publication in the mid 1970’s of works by Alexander (1975, 1977) and Wilson (1975), evolutionary biologists have adopted a rather different view of courtship and other reproductive behavior. This perspective is a more inclusive one, stressing the evolutionary or selective benefits to individuals of behaving the way they do during sexual activity. Courtship is more properly viewed as a series of test questions posed by the courting individual to its potential partner. The answers to these questions help the individual decide where the other individual is located; what species and sex that individual is, to avoid costly mistakes in mating; and how good a mate that individual will make, in terms of its vigor, strength, and success at intrasexual competition or at securing resources for its partner. In fact, the ultimate goal of reproductive behavior is success in transmitting an individual’s genes to the next generation, through the production of viable, fit offspring. Individual reproductive success can be achieved in a variety of ways. Females can have very high fecundity, or they may provide more care or resources for fewer offspring. Additional strategies are