Courtship Behavior of Nasonia Vitripennis (Hym: Pteromalidae): Observations and Experiments on Male Readiness to Assume Copulatory Behavior

Authors

J. van den Assem, University of Leiden
C. Vernel, University of Leiden

Document Type

Article

Journal/Book Title/Conference

Behavior

Volume

68

Publication Date

1-1-1979

First Page

118

Last Page

135

Abstract

The chalcidoid wasp Nasonia (-Mormoniella) vitripennis (Walker) is a common parasite of the pupae of cyclorrhaphous flies. The wasps are easily propagated in the laboratory, and in many respects they have proved to be excellent subjects for experimentation. The animals' small size (2-3 mm) is a minor handicap. The species has a distinct courtship which has been described by BARRASS (1900) and Miller & Tsao ( 1974). The courtship display provides good opportunities for causal and functional analyses.

Recommended Citation

Assem, J. van den and Vernel, C., "Courtship Behavior of Nasonia Vitripennis (Hym: Pteromalidae): Observations and Experiments on Male Readiness to Assume Copulatory Behavior" (1979). An. Paper 146.
https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/bee_lab_an/146