lek

In biology, a closely spaced set of very small territories each occupied by a single male during the mating season. Leks are found in the mating systems of several ground-dwelling birds (such as grouse) and a few antelopes, and in some insects.

The lek is a traditional site where both males and females congregate during the breeding season. The males display to passing females in the hope of attracting them to mate. Once mated, the females go elsewhere to lay their eggs or to complete gestation.

Lekking is also found in some insects. US researchers studying the prairie mole cricket Gryllotalpa major concluded in 1999 that the males' courtship burrows constituted a lek as the clustered burrows were used only to attract females and were then abandoned.