Tests of Sabethes cyaneus leg paddle function in mating and flight.

Both sexes of the mosquito Sabethes cyaneus have conspicuous midleg paddles of unknown function. These paddles are displayed prominently by males during courtship. However, we found that paddle removal reduced successful mating of females, not males. Males without paddles approached and courted females normally, but females without paddles were rarely approached by males. Paddle removal appeared not to alter flight, and paddleless females oviposited in the manner characteristic of Sabethes, suggesting that the paddles do not aid in hovering or rapid reverse flight. We conclude that paddles of females are used in attracting males but that their function in males remains undetermined.