Triphleba Rondani (total of eight photos of five mating events examined: Figure 6 A-H)

The photos show that body-size sexual dimorphism occurs in Triphleba with males larger than females (Figure 6E) as well as females larger than males (Figure 6A). In general, the genus apparently has a standard mating position, with males often reaching more anteriorly than usual, even contacting the female’s scutum (Figure 6D) or base of the wing (Figure 6A,B,E). In many species, Triphleba males have an enlarged first flagellomere compared to the female (eg Figure 6D,E). The photos do not, however, help to understand the role of this feature. Additionally, a Triphleba female captured in copula shows a remarkable unreported characteristic for the genus: two large sacs expanding laterally from the abdomen, each bearing a group of stout long setae (Figure 6G,H).