Multiple spermatophore transfer during prolonged mating in the apterous neotropical cricket Unacla meridionalis (Desutter-Grandcolas 1994) (Orthoptera: Grylloidea: Phalangopsidae)

Phalangopsidae comprises over 1,136 species of crickets, but reproductive behavior has been documented for only a few species. Here, we describe the mating behavior of Unacla meridionalis (Desutter-Grandcolas 1994), an apterous, nocturnal cricket endemic to the Brazilian Atlantic Forest. We analyzed 15 mating trials conducted under controlled laboratory conditions, including courtship, copulation, and post-copulation behaviors. During courtship, a male performs dorsoventral vibrations of the body and touching with the antennae, while a female palpates the abdominal tergites of the male; spermatophores are transferred during subsequent copulations; after the mating pair separated, females consumed the spermatophores in 87% of the encounters, which contrasts with the typical spermatophore consumption by males in other phalangopsid species and suggests that the spermatophore may represent a post-nuptial gift. The total mating event lasted approximately 2 h, representing a considerably long duration. These findings expand our understanding of the diversity of reproductive strategies within Phalangopsidae and underscore the evolutionary significance of extended mating and paternal investment in apterous crickets.