A Large Male Competitive Advantage in a Lekking Fly, Hermetia Comstockiwilliston (Diptera: Stratiomyidae)

Abstract

Males of the stratiomyid fly Hermetia comstocki compete for possession of entire agave plants with large males enjoying a great advantage in the ritualized aerial contests for control of perch territories. Flying males are sometimes attacked and killed by Efferia robberflies. Nevertheless, territoriality has reproductive benefits in that receptive females fly to defended agaves and mate with territory owners. Females appear more likely to visit those sites that are occupied most regularly by territorial males. The mating system appears to be an example of lek or male dominance polygyny centered at landmarks that serve as rendezvous sites for receptive females and males. © 1990, Hindawi Publishing Corporation. All rights reserved.