The mating behaviour of the banana weevil, Cosmopolites sordidus Germar (Coleoptera : Curculionidae)

Abstract

The banana weevil, Cosmopolites sordidus Germar mates repeatedly in its lifetime. No elaborate courtship behavior was seen before mating in the laboratory. However, 'sniffing' (an activity by which male weevils used their antennae to contact the abdominal tip of the female, as if to perceive some stimulus), often preceded mating. This observation may be an indication of a chemical pheromone involved in the mating behaviour of this insect. Male banana weevils generally displayed aggressive mating behaviour. Matings occurred under both light and dark conditions, but significantly more in the dark. A direct and positive linear correlation was observed between mating and sniffing under both light and dark conditions. Similar trends or correlations were observed between mating and mating duration; mating and sniffing durations respectively.