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The influence of female age on male mating preference and reproductive success in cabbage beetle, Colaphellus bowringi
Author(s) -
Liu XingPing,
He HaiMin,
Xue FangSen
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
insect science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.991
H-Index - 45
eISSN - 1744-7917
pISSN - 1672-9609
DOI - 10.1111/1744-7917.12051
Subject(s) - biology , fecundity , mating , longevity , fertility , reproductive success , mate choice , zoology , preference , demography , population , genetics , sociology , microeconomics , economics
The influence of female age on male mating preference and reproductive success has been studied using a promiscuous cabbage beetle, Colaphellus bowringi Baly (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae). In a simultaneous choice test, middle‐aged females had significantly greater mating success than young and old females. In single pair trials, when paired with middle‐aged virgin males, middle‐aged females mated faster, copulated longer, and had greater fecundity and fertility than young or old females, while the longevity of males was not significantly affected by female age. This study on C. bowringi suggests that middle‐aged females are more receptive to mating, which can result in the highest male reproductive success.