Nutritional status affects copula duration in the Mediterranean fruit fly,Ceratitis capitata(Insecta Tephritidae)

Abstract

We examined the influence of male and female nutritional status on mating behaviour in the Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata (Weidemann). Protein-deprived females mated with males of smaller average size than those chosen by protein-fed females, indicating a relaxation of selectivity in the usual mate preferences of this laboratory strain. The effect of female nutrition on copula duration was stronger than that of male nutrition, suggesting that females exert substantial control over copulation. When both males and females were deprived of protein, copula duration for the first mating was prolonged.

The presence of the sexual partner and nutritional condition alter the Anastrepha obliqua MacQuart (Diptera: Tephritidae) protein discrimination threshold

“…capitata males fed with proteins which copulate with females also fed with proteins were significantly heavier than those which copulate with females fed with sucrose, and this suggests a relation between the nutritional status of the female and its grade of exigency when selecting a partner (Field & Yuval 1999). Protein fed males which copulated with females fed with sucrose weighted less than the protein fed males which copulated with females also fed with proteins, because they transferred more sperm than the others.…”

“…Protein fed males which copulated with females fed with sucrose weighted less than the protein fed males which copulated with females also fed with proteins, because they transferred more sperm than the others. The results suggest that when the females are inadequately nourished, selectivity is loosened and they (Field & Yuval 1999).…”

The Relationship Between Morphological Symmetry and Immune Response in Wild-Caught Adult Bush-Crickets

“…Below we discuss three explanations for these patterns: (1) there is a correlation between immune response and FA in adult bush-crickets; however, the relationship is restricted to the FA of specific organs (e.g. wings but not legs or mouthparts), (2) there is no correlation between immune response and FA in bush-crickets; i.e. the composite FA-immune response relationship is robust, while the wing FA-immune response relationship is spurious, and (3) correlations generally exist between immune response and FA in bushcrickets; however, these trade-offs occur earlier in development and are not easily detected in mature individuals.…”

“…During development, an organism is exposed to many environmental stressors which may impair optimal growth or physiological functioning [1,2]. Thus, departures from the ideal expression of particular traits are commonly used as evidence that organisms have been exposed to sub-optimal resources as mediated through environmental or genetic constraints [3,4].…”

Influence of male nutritional conditions on the performance and alimentary selection of wild females of Anastrepha obliqua (Macquart)(Diptera, Tephritidae)

“…The current studies have emphasized the males performance, particularly the comparison of wild, laboratory and sterile (irradiated) males as a function of their applicability in handling programs, and C. capitata has been the most studied species (Yuval et al 1998;Field & Yuval 1999;Taylor & Yuval 1999;Aluja et al 2001b;Hendrichs et al 2002;Maor et al 2004).…”