Size, Mating Success, and Courtship Pattern in the Meloidae (Coleoptera)

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Abstract
Body size and mating success are analyzed in field collections of three species of Meloidae. Two of these, Lytta vulnerata (LeConte) and Epicauta ochrea (LeConte), mate assortatively for size. The third species, Tegrodera erosa LeConte, does not, although mated individuals are significantly larger than unmated counterparts. Assortative mating is correlated with courtship pattern in these species. Males of L. vulnerata and E. ochrea court from a mounted position on the dorsum of the female. Those of T. erosa court from an unmounted position on the substrate in front of the female. It is proposed that assortative mating occurs in L. vulnerata and E. ochrea because delivery of tactile courtship depends on a reasonably close size match of the sexes. Results of a laboratory mating experiment with Meloe niger Kirby illustrate effect of intersexual size disparity in a species with mounted behavior. A discussion of possible selective advantages of unmounted versus mounted display in the Meloidae is included.