VARIATION IN WEIGHT OF ALEOCHARA-BILINEATA (COLEOPTERA, STAPHYLINIDAE) IN RELATION TO HOST SIZE AND REPRODUCTION

No sexual dimorphism in weight was observed at emergence of adult Aleo chara bilineata Gyll. (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae). The weight of adult s was strongly correlated with the size of the pupa in which the paras itoid developed. Newly emerged adults increased in weight after feedin g, and this increase was greater in females than in males, reflecting the beginning of oogenesis. We showed that females invested simultaneo usly in reproduction and somatic functions the first day following mat ing. Although males and females showed no significant differences in w eight at emergence, the females fed actively upon emergence and weighe d significantly more than the males for 30 days after emergence. After that period, most of the eggs has been laid and both male and female weights were similar.