- 704 pages
- English
- ePUB (mobile friendly)
- Available on iOS & Android
About this book
This book explores mate-finding and courtship behaviour in the insect world, in all its subtlety and diversity. Insects engage in courtship as much, or as little, as any other animal; they have songs and dances, and all manner of instruments and ornaments to attract and court the opposite sex. Insects have evolved complex chemical and acoustic communication systems, sending fragrant messages, visual signals and subtle vibrations to attract and persuade. Insects also have many different ways and means of choosing or rejecting mating partners. This beautifully illustrated book shows the incredible variety of courtship behaviours and celebrates the wonderful natural history of a wide range of insects. Varieties of courtship can occur before, during and even after copulation, and numerous examples of the different mating strategies used are presented. As well as being fascinating and entertaining, studying courtship is also useful. For example, a knowledge of the courtship and mating behaviour of important pests helps researchers understand the dynamics of mate choice and sexual selection. Knowing which behaviours are directly related with mating success can be used to improve behaviour-based control strategies and improve sterile insect techniques. Knowledge of sex pheromones, and mating behaviour, can be combined to manage insect pests by mass or mating disruption.By studying model species - such as the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster - researchers have discovered how genes control and influence courtship behaviour, via proteins, biochemical pathways and neural circuits. This book integrates these diverse fields into a framework constructed around courtship and mate-finding, bringing together studies from the laboratory and the field. This landmark volume will be of interest to students of biology, entomologists, naturalists and anyone with a desire to know more about the love lives of the small creatures with which we share the planet.
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Information
Table of contents
- Cover
- Title Page
- Copyright
- Contents
- Dedication
- Acknowledgements
- Illustration Credits
- 1. Introduction
- 2. Drosophila Courtship Behaviour
- 3. Mate-finding Strategies I: Waiting and Seeking
- 4. Mate-finding Strategies II: Hilltopping, Guarding and Excavating
- 5. Mate Calling (Long-range)
- 6. Swarming and Lekking
- 7. Cues, Signals and Advertising
- 8. Sex Roles, Ornamentation and Role Reversals
- 9. Courtship I. Pre-copulatory Courtship Behaviour
- 10. Courtship II. Copulatory and Post-copulatory Courtship Behaviour
- 11. Attracting and Stimulating the Other Sex (Near-range Courtship) I. Songs and Instruments
- 12. Attracting and Stimulating the Other Sex (Near-range Courtship) II. Dances and Displays
- 13. Attracting and Stimulating the Other Sex (Near-range Courtship) III. Rhythmic Movements
- 14. Chemical Communication: Sex Pheromones for Long-range Attraction in Insects
- 15. Volatile Sex Pheromones in Non-lepidopteran Insects
- 16. Short-range and Contact Pheromones
- 17. Choosing, Rejecting and Mate Choice
- 18. Sexual Conflicts and Female Rejection Behaviour
- 19. Courtship Feeding and Nuptial Gifts
- 20. Discussion and Conclusions
- 21. Epilogue: A Courtship Duet. Drosophila melanogaster
- Glossary
- Video and Audio Web Links
- References
- Index
- Back Cover