MULTIPLE MATING AND ITS CONSEQUENCES IN MALES OF CALLOSOBRUCHUS-MACULATUS (F) (COLEOPTERA, BRUCHIDAE)

This study investigated male mating behaviour of a Nigerian population of the cowpea seed beetle, Callosobruchus maculatus (F.) and its effects on female fecundity and fertility. Each male was capable of mating with 25-73 different females during adult life. The mating ability decreased with age of the males. Duration of mating increased significantly with age of the male. Virgin females mated with the same male laid fewer eggs as form the sixth day following the emergence of the male. Successive matings carried out by the same male on the same day resulted in a trend towards lower fecundity and fertility in the later mated females. These observations are discussed in relation to previously published reports.