Mate recognition in Cryptomyzus aphids: copulation and insemination

Abstract The specificity of the mate recognition system in three species of the aphid genus Cryptomyzus (Homoptera: Aphididae: Aphidinea) that reproduce sexually on the same host plant, red currant, was studied. Mate recognition at the level of life cycle forms, sister species and more distantly related species was studied. A host race on black currant was used to determine the effect of the host plant on mate preference. The males do not have a specific courtship behaviour and matings readily occurred between different species. However, in choice tests the matings between the more distantly related species resulted only in intraspecific inseminations, and those between the sister species in a higher frequency of intraspecific, compared to interspecific, matings. In no‐choice experiments mating between the more distantly related species occurred but did not result in insemination, and in sister species in a reduced insemination success compared to intraspecific matings. Thus, there is specific mate recognition in aphids, which prevents or reduces interspecific insemination but not interspecific mating. In the host races, host plant choice determined mating and insemination, and the life cycle forms did not show any difference in mate recognition.