Courtship Behavior and Source of a Sexual Pheromone from Cardiochiles nigriceps1

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Abstract
The sexual behavior of male and female Cardiochiles nigriceps Viereck (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) is described. Wing fanning by the male plays an important role in orientating the male towards the female located 3-5 cm away and may also have a quieting effect on the female. Female antennae appear to play an important role in orientating the male on the female prior to copulation and in signaling female receptivity. Females produce a sex pheromone just prior to emergence from the cocoon. Sex pheromone activity remains after mating and throughout adult life. Through amputation, ligation, and masceration of various parts of the female, sexual activity was revealed to be elicited by the female abdominal region. Although no region of the female or extracts of females were effective in eliciting full sexual display in males, Dufour's gland and hexane extracts of females elicited antennation by males. Antennation may represent a response of the male to a close range sexual stimulant.