Reproductive behaviour of the South American fruit fly Anastrepha fraterculus (Diptera: Tephritidae): laboratory and field studies

Abstract

Abstract. The mate choice, courtship and oviposition behaviour of laboratory‐reared and field‐collected Anastrepha fraterculus (Wied.) were compared. In laboratory cultures in Southampton the duration of male calling activity in small leks increased gradually from 1‐2h at 5 days old to up to 7 h at 10 days. This finding correlates with previous reports on the time at which male salivary glands, which are believed to produce sex pheromone, are fully developed. Wild flies which emerged from infested fruits in Brazil began to oviposit on the day they mated, whereas in laboratory flies oviposition began 1 day following the first mating. Both types of fly usually defended their position on a particular fruit throughout the day, and re‐mated with either virgin or mated males. There was no significant difference in mating duration. Females did not copulate before the mean age (±SE) of 16.8±0.9 days. For both types of flies mating initiation occurred in the first 2h of photophase, with virgin females choosing mainly mated males. The average number of matings in the laboratory was three for females and four for males, and the interval between matings in females was significantly increased after the second mating. It is suggested that the tendency of virgin females to mate with mated males will lead to increased fitness, as males are on average 48 days old at their second mating. The potential life span of around 200 days for both sexes would allow adults to bridge the gap between seasonally available fruits in warm‐temperate and sub‐tropical South America.

Longevity and fecundity of four species of Anastrepha (Diptera: Tephritidae)

“…There were also differences regarding maximum longevity, and this was greater for the adults in the present study. However, Lima et al (1994) reported mean longevity in adult A. fraterculus greater than that obtained here. A. obliqua longevity, from mango, was similar to that obtained by Carvalho et al (1998) although in the present study some females presented higher values.…”

Mating time of the West Indian fruit fly Anastrepha obliqua (Macquart) (Diptera: Tephritidae) under laboratory conditions

“…These results also have interesting implications when compared with those obtained for A. fraterculus complex , De Lima et al 1994, which was treated as a single species until results of crossing experiments and discovery of substantial differences in genetical criteria led to the description of at least two seperate species (Selivon et al 1999). Informal observations (F. Henning, unpublished) suggest differences in mating times between these recently described A. fraterculus species.…”

Volatile substances from male Anastrepha fraterculus wied. (Diptera: Tephritidae): identification and behavioural activity

“…the first probing behaviour was observed. The results of these observations led us to believe that female flies were attracted to salivary glands of calling males only when they reached sexual maturation, which is on average 16 days old 15 .…”