Sperm Utilization Strategies in Nonsocial Insects

Female Choice and the Adaptive Significance of Prolonged Copulation in Nezara Viridula (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae)

“…It has been suggested that when males contribute nothing but thier gametes to females, as with N. viridula, the female chooses males whose genetic contributions to her progeny maximizes her fitness (Borgia, 1979;Lacy, 1979;Walker, 1980). However, it may be doubted that sufficient genetic variation for male fitness characters exists to promote this basis of female choice (Williams, 1975;Powell and Morton, 1979).…”

Influence of female reproductive anatomy on the outcome of sperm competition inDrosophila melanogaster

“…However, females too may influence patterns of sperm use (Walker 1980;Otronen et al 1997;Ward 1998Ward , 2000Hellreigel & Bernasconi 2000). Various mechanisms have been suggested for ways in which multiply mated females may bias paternity in favour of particular males (Birkhead et al 1993;Keller & Reeve 1995;Eberhard 1996).…”

“…Various mechanisms have been suggested for ways in which multiply mated females may bias paternity in favour of particular males (Birkhead et al 1993;Keller & Reeve 1995;Eberhard 1996). The complex morphology of female reproductive tracts in many species may reflect selection on females to influence the use of sperm from different males for fertilization (Walker 1980;Linley & Simmons 1981).…”

Sperm competition and melanic polymorphism in the 2-spot ladybird, Adalia bipunctata (Coleoptera, Coccinellidae)

“…It is, therefore, of particular significance in species in which females mate more than once. Many different patterns of sperm use in the successful fertilization of eggs from different male mating partners have been described in insects (Walker, 1980;Thornhill & Alcock, 1983). There are examples of sperm competition resulting in (almost complete) first male or in last male sperm precedence, as well as in some degree of sperm mixing (Ridley, 1989).…”