EFFECTS OF THE CONSUMPTION OF MALE SPERMATOPHYLAX ON THE OVIPOSITION SCHEDULE OF FEMALES IN THE DECORATED CRICKET, GRYLLODES SIGILLATUS

The effects of the consumption of the spermatophylax produced by males on female fitness were studied in the decorated cricket, Gryllodes si gillatus. An increase in the number of spermatophylaces presented to f emales did not increase the total number of eggs made by females, the number of eggs laid, or the hatchability of eggs laid by females, but increased the number of eggs laid in the early stage of adult life of females. The duration of the egg stage decreased with the number of sp ermatophylaces presented to females. The implication of the results on the sham hypothesis that the spermatophylax does not have nutritional value is discussed.