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Copula duration, insemination, and sperm allocation in Anastrepha ludens (Diptera: Tephritidae)

Author:
Donald B. Thomas, Sandra N. Leal, Hugh E. Conway
Source:
Annals of the entomological society of America 2014 v.107 no.4 pp. 858-865
ISSN:
1938-2901
Subject:
Anastrepha ludens, copulation, female fertility, females, fruit flies, insemination, semen, spermatheca, spermatozoa, sterile insect technique, storage organs
Abstract:
The juxtaposition and functional relationship of the sperm storage organs in Anastrepha ludens (Loew) is described. The spermatheca squash technique has been used to determine mated status in tephritid fruit ßies, and thus as a measure of compatibility and coverage for sterile insect technique programs. Female A. ludens have four seminal storage organs: three spermathecae and a ventral receptacle. By interrupting coitus at set intervals, it is shown that the ventral receptacle Þlls Þrst and after 15Ð30 min the spermathecae begin to Þll. Among wild captured ßies, all mature (gravid) females had semen in the ventral receptacle, but only 40Ð60% had sperm in at least one spermatheca. Therefore, examination of the ventral receptacle rather than the spermathecae alone is the more reliable method for determining mated status.
Agid:
59610
Handle:
10113/59610