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We provide a general overview of lek behavior in insects. Initially, we draw a distinction between substrate-based and aerial (swarming) male mating aggregations. In general, males in substrate-based groups defend territories, wait for arriving females, and perform courtship prior to mating. By contrast, males in swarms typically exhibit no intrasexual aggression before female arrivals and grasp approaching females for immediate mating without courtship. Also, compared with swarms, substrate-based aggregations tend to be small, and males are more likely to produce long-range signals to attract females. We examine the relative importance of intra-and intersexual selection in substrate-based groups with (1) male aggression but no courtship,(2) male courtship but no aggression, and (3) both male courtship and aggression. The final category, groups most closely resembling'classical'lek species, receives most …