Mate choice confers direct benefits to females of Anastrepha fraterculus (Diptera: Tephritidae).

ABSTRACT: Exposure to plant compounds and analogues of juvenile hormone (JH) increase male mating success in several species of tephritid fruit flies. Most of these species exhibit a lek mating system, characterized by active female choice. Although the pattern of enhanced male mating success is evident, few studies have investigated what benefits, if any, females gain via choice of exposed males in the lek mating system. In the South American fruit fly, Anastrepha fraterculus, females mate preferentially with males that were exposed to volatiles released by guava fruit or treated with methoprene (a JH analogue). Here, we tested the hypothesis that female choice confers direct fitness benefits in terms of fecundity and fertility. We first carried out mate choice experiments presenting females with m

SUBMITTER: Bachmann GE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6568381 | biostudies-literature | 2019

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature