z-logo
Premium
Effects of diet and host access on fecundity and lifespan in two fruit fly species with different life‐history patterns
Author(s) -
HARWOOD JAMES F.,
CHEN KEHUI,
MÜLLER HANSGEORG,
WANG JANELING,
VARGAS ROGER I.,
CAREY JAMES R.
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
physiological entomology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.693
H-Index - 57
eISSN - 1365-3032
pISSN - 0307-6962
DOI - 10.1111/phen.12006
Subject(s) - biology , fecundity , ceratitis capitata , tephritidae , longevity , host (biology) , reproduction , population dynamics , zoology , senescence , reproductive success , ecology , toxicology , pest analysis , botany , population , demography , genetics , sociology
The reproductive ability of female tephritids can be limited and prevented by denying access to host plants and restricting the dietary precursors of vitellogenesis. The mechanisms underlying the delayed egg production in each case are initiated by different physiological processes that are anticipated to have dissimilar effects on lifespan and reproductive ability later in life. The egg‐laying abilities of laboratory‐reared females of the M editerranean fruit fly ( Ceratitis capitata W iedmann) and melon fly ( Bactrocera cucurbitae C oquillett) from H awaii are delayed or suppressed by limiting access to host fruits and dietary protein. In each case, this is expected to prevent the loss of lifespan associated with reproduction until protein or hosts are introduced. Two trends are observed in each species: first, access to protein at eclosion leads to a greater probability of survival and a higher reproductive ability than if it is delayed and, second, delayed host access reduces lifetime reproductive ability without improving life expectancy. When host access and protein availability are delayed, the rate of reproductive senescence is reduced in the medfly, whereas the rate of reproductive senescence is generally increased in the melon fly. Overall, delaying reproduction lowers the fitness of females by constraining their fecundity for the remainder of the lifespan without extending the lifespan. © 2013 The Royal Entomological Society

This content is not available in your region!

Continue researching here.

Having issues? You can contact us here