oa African Entomology - Mating behaviour of two closely related ochraceus-group Coccophagus species (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae)

Abstract

The mating behaviour of two closely related species in the ochraceus-group of Coccophagus Westwood (c. bartletti Annecke & Insley and C. lutescens Compere) is descriptionbed. In both species the interaction between male and female is protracted, and especially so the postcoital mount behaviour. Certain aspects of the interaction are readily visible and pheromones also appear to have a role. The mating behaviour of C. bartletti is significantly different from that of C. lutescens, and confirms that these are distinct sympatric species. Available information on morphology and coloration suggests that undetected cryptic species may occur in the C. ochraceus-group of species.