Influence of male density on the courtship and mating duration of male rice weevils <i>Sitophilus oryzae</i>

Abstract

The rice weevil Sitophilus oryzae (L) (Coleoptera Curculionidae) is a major pest of stored grains throughout the world This experiment examined the capacity of male S oryzae to adjust their mating behaviour in response to male density (ie 1 5 and 10 males) maintained with a single female Results show that males spent less time in courting females with antennal contact at density 1 when compared to densities 5 and 10 Copulation duration increased in response to the increase in rival densities The mechanism behind this phenomenon may be (1) a mate guarding strategy to enhance reproductive success by reducing the chance of sperm displacement by competitors and (2) a strategy to avoid damage to the reproductive organs of their mates by multiple mating