Mating behavior of Aphidius gifuensis

Objective In the present study,the mating behavior ofAphidius gifuensis was studied and the role of female-borne cues in eliciting the courtship responses of males was explored,in order to provide the theoretical basis for the mass rearing and application ofA.gifuensis.MethodThe mating behavior of A.gifuensis was observed by using a microscope in laboratory and mass rearing greenhouse.The role of visual and olfactory female-borne cues in evoking male courtship behavior was observed in five different experimental treatments which included dead virgin female (n=1 9),crushed female abdomen (n=15),filter paper exposed to virgin female (n=15),only visual female cues (n=20) and control (n=20).Result Mating behavior of male A.gifuensis included approaching,courtship,mounting,antennal touch,mating test,inserting,mating and separating.Mating behavior of female virgin A.gifuensis included running and refusing courtship,or accepting mating,mating and resting.The mating process between A.gifuensis male and female could be divided into four stages,namely searching and courtship,pre-mating,mating and post-mating.After a successful courtship of male,generally,male could complete the entire mating process with virgin females.Males would try to mate with mated females and virgin females that have died,but only happend at pre-mating stage.Intense male wing fanning behavior was elicited by filter paper that had previously been in contact with live virgin female wasps and crushed abdomens of virgin females,while males did not respond to the visual stimuli of females that were sealed in transparent containers.Conclusion The mating behavior ofA.gifuensis is composed of a stereotyped series of behavior.Olfactory female-borne cues play a key role in eliciting the courtship responses of males,and female abdomen is the source of a short-distance pheromone crucial in evoking male courtship.