Effect of Feeding on the Attractiveness of Riptortus clavatus (Thunberg) (Heteroptera: Alydidae) Males to Conspecific Individuals.

We investigated the effect of the feeding conditions of Riptortus clavatus (Thunberg) males on their attractiveness to conspecific individuals as part of a preliminary study to clarify the adaptive significance of the attraction. Males allowed to take food were found to attract a significantly larger number of conspecific adults than those not allowed. Moreover, males allowed to take food were found to have a significantly more developed fat bodies than those not allowed. The close relationship between the feeding conditions of Riptortus clavatus males and their release of attractants suggests that the attractants might play a key role in the food exploitation strategy of the bugs.