Abstract
Mating behaviour of Apanteles glomeratus in a cabbage field was observed. In general, males initially emerged from the cocoon cluster. Males stayed on or near the cluster exhibiting wing vibration and antennal movement : More than half of the males was observed near the cluster for at least 5 minutes. The evidence suggested that a sex pheromone existed in cocoons and attracted males of the same- and from the other- cocoon cluster. The cocoon clusters left in the field for more than 5 days and after washing with ether lost their attractive ability for males. The active space of pheromone was about 10 cm in radius. Females after emergence walked several cm from the cluster and stood still where they were enocountered by searching males. Mating took place within 5 min. after the emergence of the female. Females after mating flew away, and males again began searching. Ratio of sib-matings in A. glomeratus was about 60%. Inbreeding was considered to be natural in this species.
