The spermatophore transferred by male decorated crickets;Gryllodes sigillat
us) at mating includes a large gelatinous spermatophylax that the female co
nsumes after copulation. Although previous studies have shown that G. sigil
latus females gain no nutritional benefits from consuming food gifts, there
may be other benefits to their consumption. We examined potential hydratio
n benefits to females by experimentally manipulating both the availability
of water and the number of food gifts that females consumed, and by measuri
ng their effect on female fitness. Analysis of the number of nymphs produce
d by females revealed a significant interaction between the number of sperm
atophylaxes consumed and water availability. When spermatophylaxes were not
provided, females given water ad libitum produced significantly more nymph
s than females subjected to water stress. Female longevity was significantl
y affected by water availability with an increase in the availability of wa
ter corresponding to a significant increase in female longevity. These data
suggest that female G. sigillatus accrue fitness benefits by consuming spe
rmatophylaxes when alternative sources of water are unavailable. In additio
n, females appear to allocate water contained in spermatophylaxes towards r
eproduction as opposed to survival.