Sexual Dimorphism and Mating Behavior in Anomala testaceipennis

Abstract

The beetle, Anomala testaceipennis Blanchard (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae), occurs in central-western Brazil where larvae feed on the roots of plants causing damage. This research aimed to study sexual dimorphism and mating behavior of A. testaceipennis . Adults of A. testaceipennis were collected with light traps in the experimental area of the State University of Mato Grosso do Sul, in Aquidauana. Laboratory experiments were performed to describe copulation behavior and adult morphology of males and females. In males the last abdominal segment has a pronounced constriction, which is absent in females, and the male’s last segment of the first pair of legs has a ventral projection, which is poorly developed in females. The mating activities of adults begin soon after sunset, when adults leave the soil and fly. When the male encounters a female, he touches her with antennae and tarsi. If accepted, the male climbs on the female and remains on her back, and soon after the copulation begins. When the female does not accept the male for mating, she moves rapidly and can roll on the ground, and by so removing the male. In the field, adults feed and mate on bloomed trees of Oiti, Licania tomentosa Benth (Malpighiales: Chrysobalanaceae) and Louro, Cordia glabrata Martius (Boraginaceae). In trees without inflorescences no adults of this species were found.

Aspects of mating behavior and antennal sensilla in Anomala inconstans Burmeister, 1844 (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Rutelinae)

“…Steps related to the mating behavior of A. inconstans are similar to those described by Rodrigues et al (2014) for Anomala testaceipennis Burmeister, 1856. During the steps of the mating behavior, some female A. inconstans did not accept males for copulation, demonstrating male selection.…”

“…Basilisk, Poaceae), was turned on daily at 05:00 pm and turned off at 6:00 am of the next day. Insects were collected every 60 minutes (methodology by Rodrigues et al 2014).…”

“…Males and females were brought together after they left the soil. Thirty-four couples were formed to allow mating behavior observations (methodology adapted from Rodrigues et al 2014).…”

Biological aspects and mating behavior in Leucothyreus albopilosus (Coleoptera)

“…For A. testaceipennis, Rodrigues et al (2014) verified that females also refused males to copulate. Similarly, Fávila (1988) studied the mating behavior of Canthon cyanellus cyanellus LeConte 1859 (Scarabaeidae, Scarabaeinae) and found differences in sexual maturity between males and females, considered one of the factors that makes females to refuse males to mate.…”

“…This flight time was probably related to adult dispersion or localization of a partner of the opposite sex available to mate. According to Rodrigues, Gomes and Bento (2014) adults of Anomala testaceipennis Blanchard 1856 (Rutelinae) emerge from soil and fly actively for 16.6+2.3 minutes, form couples and copulate.…”