Mating in the scaly cricket Cycloptiloides canariensis (Orthoptera : Gryllidae : Mogoplistinae)

The process of mating in C. canariensis follows basically the same pattern as in other crickets: adoption of the female-above-male position, hooking of the male onto the female's subgenital plate, spermatophore transfer, and separation of the mates. Two crucial modifications can, however, be distinguished: Hooking is not accomplished by means of a sclerotized process from the protruded epiphallus, but with paired hooklets on the paraproct (paraproct processes; sternite 11). The paraproct processes are about 0.4 mm long and covered with bristles, and a group of campaniform sensilla is found in the tip region. The time course of copulation is also modified. Usually, in crickets an already fully formed spermatophore is transferred immediately after mounting, and remains attached for a considerable period. C. canariensis, however, needs about 15 min for spermatophore production, while the couple is already hooked. After transfer the spermatophore remains attached only for an average of 31 s. With both hooklets severed, copulation is unsuccessful. Severance of only one hooklet prolongs the initial hooking phase but shortens the following interval, which suggests that spermatophore production is triggered during a definite interval before hooking, and continues as an autonomous internal process.