Despite the benefits of multiple mating to females many mosquitoes appear to be monandrous. Members of the mosquito tribe
Sabethini are unique among the mosquitoes for they possess iridescent scales and elaborate ornaments in both sexes. Additionally,
this tribe boasts the only reported cases of courtship display within the mosquitoes. Due to these singular traits and behaviors,
we predicted that members of this tribe have a different mating system with relatively high female mating rate. We tested
this prediction in the ornamented mosquito
Sabethes cyaneus. Contrary to our prediction, however, females were monandrous throughout their lifetime and multiple gonotrophic cycles.
We discuss the possible implications of monandry on the evolution of sexually homologous ornaments, with particular consideration
of mutual mate choice.
Keywords Mating rate - mating system - polyandry - signal - sexual selection - Diptera