Abstract
Copulation and post-copulatory mounting behaviors of Atractomorpha lata MOTSCHULSKY were observed and described under laboratory conditions. Copulatory behavior was initiated by a male approaching a stationary or feeding female without any courtship behavior. Pair formation involved mounting of the female without genital contact followed by a brief period of genitalia probing. Copulation, which is frequently linked with post-copulatory mounting, was determined in 2:5, 3:3 and 5:2 (female:male) sex ratio groups. The results show that the frequency of copulation and post-copulatory mounting were significantly higher in the 2:5 group than in the other two groups. Age difference did not affect the frequency of copulation but more copulations were followed by post-copulatory mounting in 30 d old females paired with 10 d old males than in 10 d old females paired with 30 d old males. These results suggest than post-copulatory mounting functions as a post-copulatory mate guarding behavior.
