Lek territoriality in the tarantula hawk wasp Hemipepsis ustulata (Hymenoptera: Pompilidae)

摘要: 1. The breeding season of H. ustulata extends over a 2 1/2 month period in the Sonoran desert near Phoenix, AZ. Individual males are active on mountain ridges for periods averaging about 3 weeks those wasps captured first half flight season. Many live more than 1 month. 2. Some palo verde trees chosen as landmark territories by male occupied earlier and consistently thereafter others. Preferred tend to be located higher ascending ridges. 3. There is considerable turnover territory ownership at some during course The average duration residence wasp was 8 days all occupants 18 followed period. Some changes occur because an intruder defeats resident aerial contest. Small replaced large ones preferred season. 4. Smaller can adjust their behavior social evironment, claiming low-ranking if excluded from favored or holding prime when absent. Alternatively, they may abandon territoriality altogether patrol series along ridge. 5. Despite abundance (>350 marked), females were rarely seen only two copulations observed. Male not focused directly emerging nesting nor it food resources attractive females. prolonged (2 months) operational sex ratio heavily skewed toward males. wasp's mating system resembles lek polygyny sense Emlen Oring (1977).