A number of species-specific female-produced sex pheromones have been published in tsetse. Male responses during female contact have been lightly examined, but mostly as previous to the copulatory responses. I have photos of males will hold onto dead female flies or pheromone-treated decoys for hours, but locations of contact between the participants are poorly investigated. One would think pre-copulatory contact is critical, but it happens quickly, as does rejection.
Article Species-specific differences in the behavior of male tsetse ...
When we were working with the primary screwworm, if the male came in contact with a decoy treated with a active compound he would take a mating pose and attempt to copulate for 15 min or so.
Yes, dimporphic characters or external cuticular characters activate males to copulate, because these are internally governed by steroid hormones. Pre-copulatory contact is essential for secretion of sperm ejection hormones and other fluid.
Dear David,
Just in case you do not know the following articles, which might be of help:
Schlein Y, Galun R, Ben-Eliahu MN (1980) Abstinons. Male-produced deterrents of mating in flies. J Chem Ecol 7:285-290
Carlson DA, Schlein Y (1991) Unusual polymethyl alkenes in tsetse flies acting as abstinon in Glossina morsitans. J Chem Ecol 17:267-284
Nelson DR, Dillwith JW, Blomquist GJ (1981) Cuticµlar hydrocarbons of the house fly, Musca domestica. Insect Biochem 11:187-197
Also, we did experiments on Acanthoscelides obtectus, where males made attempts to copulate with freeze-killed female specimens, and found that mate-recognition is guided by cuticular chemistry. I can send you this paper as soon as it is published (at least on-line).
Jozsef
- Badges
- Science topic
- Similar topics
- Biological Science
- Zoology
- Invertebrate Zoology
- Entomology