Mating Behaviour of the Braconid Wasp, Apanteles glomeratus L. (Hymenoptera : Braconidae) : Mating Sequence and the Factor for Correct Orientation of Male to Female

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Abstract
Mating behavior of A. glomeratus was investigated. Mating sequence of the male consisted of wing vibration, approach to the female, visual recognition of the female, antennal contact to female wings, mounting and copulation. Female was passive throughout the sequence. To ensure successful mating, a simple factor existed which determined correct orientation of male to female, i.e., the position of the female wings prior to the male''s mounting. When mounting, the male obtains information about his direction from the female wings at the time of antennal contact, because most of the males mounted the female with inversely fixed wings from the front. The correct orientation of male to female in mounting was determined by the female wings.