Female bark beetles looking for a mate seem to prefer bigger males, possibly because breeding with a larger male results in more offspring and larger sons, according to UC Davis postdoctoral researcher Mary Reid. Investigating the parental care given by larger males of this North American species, Reid found that larger males also tended to abandon their broods earlier, perhaps to mate with another female and maximize reproductive success. Interested in reproductive strategies found in nature, Reid is pursuing the question of whether the female preference contributes a genetic benefit to her offspring or whether large males are simply more helpful parents even though they desert earlier. Reid will present her findings in the general poster session on Sunday, July 25, 7-9 p.m., in Wellman Courtyard.