Occurrence of sexual size dimorphism in belostoma elegans (Heteroptera: Belostomatidae)

Abstract

Sexual size dimorphism (SSD) is detected in Belostoma elegans for the first time in a multivariate framework. Females are usually bigger than males in Heteroptera species; size is frequently associated with reproductive success. Following this general trend we found that maximum width of the head and interocular distance are biased towards females. Components of body size involved in paternal care and mating behavior did not follow that general rule. Therefore, SSD is not detected in total length without head and maximum width, presumably a consequence of the male egg-laying area which offers a proportional major surface for the clutch. SSD biased to males is found in middle and hind leg segments, used during mating and brooding behavior.