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Inhibitory effects of courtship in the wasp Nasonia vitripennis and a new interpretation of the biological significance of courtship in insects
Author(s) -
BARRASS ROBERT
Publication year - 1976
Publication title -
physiological entomology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.693
H-Index - 57
eISSN - 1365-3032
pISSN - 0307-6962
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-3032.1976.tb00968.x
Subject(s) - courtship , biology , courtship display , nasonia vitripennis , mating , zoology , communication , parasitoid , psychology , pteromalidae , hymenoptera
Courtship has a cumulative inhibitory effect on the sexual behaviour of male Nasonia. The biological significance of this inhibition is considered. Courtship inhibits other activities, including the movements that normally follow courtship but precede insemination. If the female is receptive, this delay gives time for mutual recognition, and makes possible correct orientation and synchronization. Courtship also inhibits itself: if the female is non‐receptive, courtship does not go on indefinitely. This termination of courtship allows the female to resume other activities and increases the male's chances of meeting other females, which it may inseminate.