Extravagant female sexual display in a Megaselia Rondani species (Diptera: Phoridae)

The behavior of females of a species of Megaselia is described. Females perch on leaves and occasionally "dance", fluttering their wings while rapidly running on the leaf surface. During this dance, they evert bright white abdominal sacs that apparently constitute part of a visual display...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Brian Brown, Wendy Porras
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Pensoft Publishers 2015-03-01
Series:Biodiversity Data Journal
Subjects:
Online Access:http://bdj.pensoft.net/lib/ajax_srv/article_elements_srv.php?action=download_pdf&item_id=4368
Description
Summary:The behavior of females of a species of Megaselia is described. Females perch on leaves and occasionally "dance", fluttering their wings while rapidly running on the leaf surface. During this dance, they evert bright white abdominal sacs that apparently constitute part of a visual display to attract males. The evolutionary basis of these behaviors is discussed.
ISSN:1314-2836
1314-2828