Mating success enhancement in Anastrepha fraterculus (Diptera: Tephritidae) males after juvenile hormone treatment

G.E. BACHMANN; F. DEVESCOVI; P. C. FERNANDEZ; M. T. VERA; J. L. CLADERA; D. F. SEGURA

Congreso; Tephritid Workers of the Western Hemisphere, 8th Meeting; 2012

Background: Previous studies suggest that exposure to sesquiterpenes increases the male mating success in some Tephritidae species. Methoprene is a sesquiterpene which mimics the juvenile hormone that accelerates the sexual maturation in Anastrepha fraterculus and other Anastrepha species. In this work, we describe the effect of methoprene on the mating success of A. fraterculus males. Methods: We carried out a series of mating trials, in which one 10-day-old male, topically treated with 1μl of methoprene dissolved in acetone (5μg/μl) and one untreated male of the same age were offered to one virgin female, either 8-­9 days-old (recently sexually mature) or 18-20 days-old. Results: We found that females preferred to mate with methoprene treated males over untreated ones. This preference was more evident for females who had recently completed their sexual maturity compared to older females, whose preference for treated males was less marked. The enhancing effect of methoprene on males’ mating competitiveness was achieved when the treatment was applied during the first hours after adult emergence but not when they were already sexually mature. Conclusions: Our results suggest that methoprene increases males’ competitiveness when applied prior to full sexual maturation. The fact that young females showed a stronger preference compared to older ones could indicate that mating treated males provides a benefit in terms of accelerating young female development. The use of this information could aid in reducing costs in future pest control programs where the Sterile Insect Technique is implemented.