Male size is an important parameter in mate choice for many species and has been associated with such female life-history parameters as increased fecundity or fertility and larger progeny (Phelan and Baker 1986; Savalli and Fox 1998, 1999; Brown 1999). In the alfalfa blotch leafminer, Agromyza frontella (Rondani), intraspecific larval competition may significantly influence the size of both males and females (Quiring and McNeil 1984a). The influence of female size on female reproductive success has been studied (Quiring and McNeil 1984b, 1984c), but to date, no attention has been given to the possible effects of male size. The objectives of this study were to determine if differences in male size, the result of intraspecific larval competition, affected male longevity and reproductive success, as well as various parameters of female reproduction.
雄性个体大小是许多物种选择配偶的一个重要参数,并与雌性生命史参数有关,如繁殖力或生育能力提高以及后代更大(Phelan 和 Baker,1986 年;Savalli 和 Fox,1998 年、1999 年;Brown,1999 年)。在苜蓿斑点潜叶蝇(Agromyza frontella (Rondani))中,种内幼虫竞争可能会显著影响雄虫和雌虫的大小(Quiring 和 McNeil,1984 年 a)。雌性个体大小对雌性繁殖成功率的影响已被研究过(Quiring 和 McNeil 1984b, 1984c),但迄今为止,雄性个体大小可能产生的影响尚未得到关注。本研究的目的是确定雄性体型的差异(种内幼虫竞争的结果)是否会影响雄性的寿命和繁殖成功率,以及雌性繁殖的各种参数。