title: Male-male sexual behavior in the parasitic wasp Psyttalia concolor.
abstract: The role of male-male courtship in parasitic Hymenoptera is poorly known. A laboratory study was conducted to assess if Psyttalia concolor (Szépligeti) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) male courtship can be affected by a previous experience in courting young conspecifics of both sexes. Two experiments were performed to evaluate the effect of experience in courting young wasps on both male courtship and male-male competition behavior. Results showed that a courting experience on both sexes can modify some sexual traits in a P. concolor male, without affecting its success in mating. When approaching virgin females, a P. concolor male that had a previous courtship experience with young wasps of either sex showed shorter latency times, more wing fanning, and longer courtship durations with respect to the control male. The hypothesis that a previous courting experience may allow a P. concolor male to refine its courtship behavior and to enhance courtship intensity in subsequent encounters with females was discussed.
authors.affiliation: Entomology Section, Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy. g.benelli@sssup.it
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Benelli
authors.forename: Angelo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Canale
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003163:Competitive Behavior; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D012726:Sexual Behavior, Animal; D014863:Wasps
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