Paternal care enhances male reproductive success in pine engraver beetles

摘要: Abstract Male pine engravers, Ips pini , assist their mates during reproduction by clearing debris from breeding galleries constructed beneath the bark of host trees. I measured duration parental care provided individual male engravers in field, as well reproductive success these males indicated total number eggs laid and mean distance between eggs. Males remained for 13–54 days ( N =78, X ±SE=33.0±0.9 days). residence time was positively correlated with a gallery, gallery when effect length controlled statistically. Male-removal experiments corroborated effects on success, showed that female mortality higher which had been removed than controls. Duration inversely related to density length. Despite remaining less galleries, larger acquired biggest harems. There positive correlation per female, but this not due size-assortative mating. Because large size is associated traits are advantageous securing mating opportunities, earlier departure may be consequence those having greater opportunities future reproduction.