Mating behaviour of the large-head resin bee Heriades truncorum (Megachilidae: Osminii) suggests female plastic strategy in selection of a mating partner and male quality assessment

Abstract Behavioural courtship display and size of males are two attributes often used by females to select a mating partner. According sexual selection, such traits importance, because bigger male or displaying better could enhance the possibility transmit her genes following generations via offspring. In Hymenoptera as in solitary bees, it is known that can assess quality add this information process choice. current study, I describe aspects pre-copulatory behaviour males, assessment female choice large-headed resin bee Heriades truncorum (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae: Osminii). Males perform thoracic vibration, fan their wings lift upwards female’s abdomen copulate. Couples engage sideways rocking motion movement like dance. Female selection partner was also found be density dependent. pair situation (one for one male), copulate equally with all sizes effort enhanced chance successful copulation. an environment choices different sizes), copulation significantly more frequent males. response mounting took place independently number partners arena did not impair mating. Additionally, had no effect on male-male competition. Both results suggest success rely mechanism.