The release of sterile males to suppress the Mexican fruit fly Anastrepha ludens (Loew) population was simulated in field cages to compare the sexual performance of sterile males with wild females in the presence and absence of sterile females. Using different release ratios of sterile and wild individuals, this study showed that the presence of sterile females negatively affected the sexual performance of sterile males in mating with wild females. We found that the sterility induced was proportional to the magnitude of the sterile/fertile ratio. These results indicate that the release of sterile males without sterile females can significantly improve the efficiency of the sterile insect technique for the control of A. ludens.

 AbstractHernández, M.R., Sàbat, M., Muñoz, M. and Casadevall, M. 2005. Semicystic spermatogenesis and reproductive strategy in Ophidion barbatum (Pisces, Ophidiidae). -Acta Zoologica (Stockholm) 86: [295][296][297][298][299][300] In this paper the testicular structure and spermatogenesis of Ophidion barbatum are studied and the reproductive strategy of this species is analysed. The species has a rare type of spermatogenesis, called semicystic, in which the cyst ruptures in a stage prior to the spermatozoon stage. The most peculiar feature of the spermatozoon is its elongated shape, not typical of an oviparous species. Taking into account our results, the type of ovary and the spawning method, this species shows specialized characteristics which are fairly uncommon among oviparous species. The analysis of other biological aspects of the species, such as the capacity of the males to produce sounds, the low population density, the habit of individual members of burying themselves and the crepuscular habits, combined with our observations concerning their reproductive strategies, lead us to suggest a unique mating behaviour.

. 2009. Biología y comportamiento sexual del mutante ojos amarillos de Anastrepha ludens (Diptera: Tephritidae). Acta Zool. Mex. (n. s.) 25(1):9-20. RESUMEN. Se comparó la biología y el comportamiento sexual entre una cepa de laboratorio con fenotipo silvestre (LFS) con una cepa de laboratorio con fenotipo mutante (LFM) de Anastrepha ludens (Loew), que se caracteriza por una coloración del cuerpo clara y ojos amarillo cremoso, para determinar su potencial como marcador genético en los programas de control mediante el uso de la técnica del insecto estéril. Los resultados del estudio indicaron que los individuos de la cepa mutante LFM no difieren significativamente de los individuos de la cepa LFS respecto a su fecundidad, fertilidad y supervivencia de inmaduros, así como en la emisión de feromona sexual. Esto es indicativo de que podría ser adaptada a las condiciones de cría masiva. Sin embargo, las pruebas de apareamiento indicaron que aunque los insectos LFM copularon con los insectos de campo de fenotipo silvestre (CFS), presentaron cierto grado de aislamiento y bajos porcentajes de apareamiento de los machos tanto con hembras CFS y LFS, lo cual implica que no sea recomendable el uso de la cepa mutante LFM como marcador genético en programas que utilizan la técnica del insecto estéril, para el control de la mosca Mexicana de la fruta. Palabras clave: Anastrepha ludens, comportamiento sexual, cría masiva, mutante, marcador genético. ABSTRACT. We compared the biology and sexual behavior between a strain of laboratory with wild phenotype (LFS) and a strain of laboratory with mutant phenotype (LFM) of Anastrepha ludens (Loew), characterized by clear coloration of the body and creamy yellow eyes to determine their potential as genetic marker in the control programmes through the use of the sterile insect technique.