Meeting Abstract
Females make decisions about mates based on both direct and indirect benefits, including mate and territory quality, respectively. Female preference may change depending on the interactions between mate and territory quality, and may also be dependent on female condition. Here, we use the leaf-footed cactus bug, Narnia femorata (Hemiptera: Coreidae) to understand how male quality and territory quality impact female mating preferences when mating status and age vary. Female N. femorata of any mating status and age regularly encounter males and territories of different quality under natural settings, which may affect mate choice and ultimately the strength of sexual selection. We show differences in territory preference depending on female age, regardless of mating status. Our study indicates that 1.) female territory preference changes depending on the presence of a male, and 2.) female preference for male quality is stronger than their preference for territory quality, but only when they are in their egg-laying prime. Our results suggest that female condition may influence female mating preferences and may weaken the strength of sexual selection in the field.
