The Evolution of Insect Mating Systems

by Randy Thornhill, John Alcock

Here is the first comprehensive analysis of insect reproductive behavior to employ a modern evolutionary perspective. As such it represents a marriage of two disciplines—entomology and modern evolutionary theory—which have recently made great strides, but in partial isolation from each other. By reviewing all of insect reproductive behavior from an evolutionary viewpoint, Thornhill and Alcock make a powerful case for the importance of sexual selection. In doing so they show the riches to be gained from an integration of theory and example. "[ The Evolution of Insect Mating Systems ] brings to a vertebrate-biased literature a well-documented and persuasive demonstration of the importance of insects for generation and testing of theory . . . organizes an immense and diverse literature on insect reproductive behavior into a logical framework that will allow more efficient and effective exploration of both insect behavior and sexual selection theory. Thornhill and Alcock demonstrate the utiltity of evolutionary (selectionist) thinking for organizing and explaining diverse and complex patterns of behavior . . . As a result, their books goes well beyond a review and synthesis of tghe literature of insect behavior . . . The Evolution of Insect Mating Systems will make its mark as one of the more important contributions to behavioral ecology, evolutionary theory, and entomology."— Science

564 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1983