Extravagant female sexual display in a Megaselia Rondani species (Diptera: Phoridae)

Abstract

The behavior of females of a species of Megaselia is described. Females perch on leaves and occasionally "dance", fluttering their wings while rapidly running on the leaf surface. During this dance, they evert bright white abdominal sacs that apparently constitute part of a visual display to attract males. The evolutionary basis of these behaviors is discussed.

Keywords

• Female choice
• sexual selection
• tropical.