Multiple mating by females creates intense competition between ejaculates over the fertilisation of her eggs, and has a profound influence on male and female life history and mating strategies. We explore the consequences of polyandry and sexual conflict more generally in a variety of model insects and spiders that have interesting life history features, including sexually cannibalistic spiders and role-reversed zeus bugs. We also investigate how the benefits of polyandry to females may offset the potential paternity costs to males.

We are also investigate the role of chemical communication in animal mating and social systems. There is considerable diversity in the structure of chemical receptors among insects. For example, the antennae of moths range from a simple filament to a complex feathery structure. We are using comparative and experimental approaches, using a range of insect model taxa to examine the role of sexual selection, signal complexity, and signal specificity in influencing this diversity of receptor morphology. Additionally, social animals use their sense of smell to distinguish members of their own group from those of other groups. The nature and role of social odours is well documented in social insects, yet the ability of individuals to perceive and interpret these signals is poorly understood. We use electrophysiological, chemical, comparative, microscopical and behavioural techniques to investigate the coevolution of sensory complexity with social organization in ants.