Kendall et al. 2002), successful pairing (Kendall & Wolcott
1999), copulation duration (Hughes et al. 2000; Ortigosa
& Rowe 2003) and fertilization success (Arnqvist & Danielsson
1999; Kendall & Wolcott 1999; Savalli & Fox
1999; Kendall et al. 2002). In the water strider
Gerris buenoi, recently mated males have shorter copulation
durations than do recently unmated males (Ortigosa
& Rowe 2003). Moreover, sperm count decreases in recently
mated males and increases with increasing recovery
period (Dewsbury 1982; Arnqvist & Danielsson 1999;
Kendall & Wolcott 1999; Kendall et al. 2002). To avoid
complete sperm depletion, recently mated males or
males with high mating rates should invest their sperm
reserves more carefully than recently unmated males or
males with low mating rates (Marconato et al. 1995;
Wedell & Cook 1999).