title: The Effects of Interspecific Courtship on the Mating Success ofAedes aegyptiandAedes albopictus(Diptera: Culicidae) Males.
abstract: Satyrization, a form of asymmetric reproductive interference, has recently been shown to play a role in competitive displacements ofAedes aegypti(L.) byAedes albopictus(Skuse). Furthermore, femaleAe. aegyptifrom populations in sympatry withAe. albopictushave evolved reproductive character displacement and changes in mating behavior to reduce interspecific mating.In this article, we examine evolutionary responses of males to interspecific mating and show that satyrization has also evoked reproductive character displacement in males. We demonstrate that the presence of heterospecific females negatively influences conspecific mating success in maleAe. aegypti, most likely due to misdirected courting or mating efforts, and that males of this species from populations in sympatry withAe. albopictushave evolved to be less influenced by the presence of heterospecific females than their allopatric counterparts. Conversely, we suggest that the presence of conspecifics may, in some circumstances, increase interspecific mating. This study demonstrates that co-occurrences of these two invasive species may lead to evolution and adaptation of reproductive behaviors to changing circumstances. Understanding the processes driving development of mate choice preferences or avoidance mechanisms may help predict future changes in the distribution and abundance of insect vectors or pests.
authors.affiliation: Department of Entomology and Nematology, Florida Medical Entomology Laboratory, University of Florida, 200 9th Street S. E., Vero Beach, FL 32962.
authors.forename: Irka
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Bargielowski
authors.affiliation: Department of Entomology and Nematology, Florida Medical Entomology Laboratory, University of Florida, 200 9th Street S. E., Vero Beach, FL 32962.
authors.forename: Erik
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Blosser
authors.affiliation: Department of Entomology and Nematology, Florida Medical Entomology Laboratory, University of Florida, 200 9th Street S. E., Vero Beach, FL 32962.
authors.forename: L P
authors.initials: LP
authors.lastname: Lounibos
keywords: Aedes aegypti; Aedes albopictus; interspecific courtship; male; satyrization