The role of protein in the sexual behaviour of males of Ceratitis capitata (Diptera: Tephritidae): mating success,copula duration and number of copulations

Abstract

In this paper, we investigated the influence of protein ingestion during the early adult phase on the sexual behavior of males of Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann, 1824). The following parameters were evaluated: mating success(ability to be chosen by females), number of copulations, and copula duration. Experiments were carried out using a fifteen-year old laboratory lineage with the occasional introduction of wild flies. Two groups of adult males fed a highprotein diet during their larval phase were given either a high-protein diet (based on Brewer’s yeast, concentration = 6.5g/100 ml) or a no-protein diet. Both groups of males were exposed to females fed either a high-protein diet or a noprotein diet and were subsequently evaluated for the parameters listed above. All experiments were conducted at 25°C,70% R.H. and with a photoperiod of L12:D12. The number of copulations was the only parameter affected by adult diet. Males fed a high-protein diet and exposed to females fed a no-protein diet had a greater number of copulations compared with males fed a no-protein diet.