Sperm competition and the evolution of the precopulatory passive phase behaviour in <i>Locusta migratoria migratorioides</i>

Abstract

SYNOPSIS An account is given of sperm competition in Locusta migratoria , for cases where the competing ejaculates occur either as one per oviposition cycle or as two per cycle. These situations exert quite different sperm competition effects; evolutionary reasons for this are discussed. The adaptive value of the male precopulatory passive phase behaviour is considered in relation to sexual selection and sperm competition.