Encounter with heavier females changes courtship and fighting efforts of male field crickets Gryllus bimaculatus (Orthoptera: Gryllidae)

Abstract The effects of mating experience on male behavior are mediated by four factors: cost, such as resource depletion, perception opportunities, self-perception attractiveness, and female quality. For example, encountering females might increase expectations prospective while copulation increases attractiveness in males. To determine the relative importance these factors, effect two components reproductive effort (courtship fighting effort) Gryllus bimaculatus was examined. Calling activity before after measured, success recorded. Subsequently, intensity outcome male–male Female encounter increased calling irrespective copulation, thereby indicating that opportunities is important factor for Changes courtship males were larger lower when they previously paired with relatively heavier females. These results indicate also affected quality previous partners.