SEXUAL BEHAVIOR IN THE GENUS PLEUROPOMPHA LECONTE: A NEW MATING DISPLAY IN BLISTER BEETLES (COLEOPTERA: MELOIDAE)

Distinguishing features of male courtship behavior in Pleuropompha include the performance of all acts including genital presentation from a position completely off and behind the female (posterior position), and the occurrence of a unique non-tactual display termed antennal fanning. Non-receptive females frequently react to antennal fanning with an equally distinct rejection response. The communicant manifested through male display is unknown. Preliminary observations suggest that fanning is perceived by the female’s antennae. Vision does not appear to play a significant role.Male courtship in Pleuropompha differs from that of any other genus of Meloidae studied. It corresponds most closely to the behavior of certain species of the nominate subgenus of Epicauta, E. puncticollis in particular. In this species a persistent posterior position also occurs and the antennae of the male are also employed in display, although in this case display is overtly tactual.