The mating behaviour of a boreal water beetle,Dytiscus alaskanus(Coleoptera Dytiscidae)

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
The mating behaviour of Dytiscus alaskanus was studied in the laboratory using frame-by-frame analysis of time-lapse video tape. Matings proceed with little precopulatory courtship and consist of eight patterns: mounting, lateral shake, swimming, copulation, plug visible, probing, female breathe, and female swim. Although matings last nearly 8 hr, copulation usually takes place within the first 4 min and is marked by the passage of a spermatophore. Matings performed in the fall result in the formation of an external mating plug. The rest of the mating is devoted to probing of the plug by the male. After matings in the spring, no external plug is formed. The prolonged postcopulatory period may be a form of guarding that has different functions depending on season.