SELECTION FOR A NON-GENITALIC MATING STRUCTURE IN FEMALE TIGER BEETLES OF THE GENUS CICINDELA (COLEOPTERA: CICINDELIDAE)

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Abstract
Females of species in Cicindela have a groove or pit in the mesepisternum which is concluded to be a mating structure, "coupling sulcus," that is held by the mandibles of the male. Six character states of the coupling sulcus are described, and may be useful for identification at the species and species group levels. Primitive (groove) and advanced (cavity) states of the coupling sulcus are derived by comparison with a classification of North and South American Cicindela based on the male genitalia. I suggest the following hypothesis: the female mating structure evolved in response to the highly agile behaviour of diurnal tiger beetles; the advanced cavity-like coupling sulcus is a result of population adjustments to long periods of hot conditions; and the non-agile, crepuscular, and nocturnal habits of primitive tiger beetles such as Amblycheila, Omus, and Megacephala have resulted in no selection for a female mesepisternum coupling sulcus.

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