Sexual Behaviour in Gryllus Domesticus L

Author: Khalifa, A.

Source: Behaviour, Volume 2, Number 1, 1950 , pp. 264-274(11)

Publisher: BRILL

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Abstract:

A male that has just delivered a spermatophore goes through a peculiar set of movements which is given the name of "watching" behaviour. It is in most cases associated with the production of a new spermatophore. This behaviour is not elicited by the spermatophore on the female for an excited male would "watch" and follow his mate, any other female with a spermatophore, one which had a dummy spermatophore, one which had nothing at all and even another male. It has been shown experimentally that a male can carry on the process of copulation and perform all other associated behaviour if deprived of his antennae and kept in the dark. The songs of the male, sense of hearing on the part of the female and presumably touch would account for the coming together of the sexes. If a male is kept alone after copulation the movements become extremely vigorous suggestory a type of displacement reaction. "Erratic" behaviour, also occurs in a different form in long isolated males and appears to be an instance of "vacuum activity", the result of which is the inhibition of spermatophore production shortly after copulation.

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1163/156853950X00125

Affiliations: 1: (Department of Entomology, Zoological Laboratory, Cambridge

Publication date: 1950-01-01