Journal of Applied Entomology (2018) 142, 380-387

H. Akter and P.W. Taylor (2018)
Sexual inhibition of female Queensland fruit flies mated by males treated with raspberry ketone supplements as immature adults
Journal of Applied Entomology 142 (4), 380-387
Abstract: Raspberry ketone (RK) dietary supplements accelerate the emergence of sexual behaviour in developing Queensland fruit fly (Q-fly) males and show promise as a pre-release supplement for use in sterile insect technique (SIT) programs. However, the value of RK supplements in SIT programs would be greatly reduced if RK-treated males are ineffective at inducing sexual inhibition in mated females. To test the effectiveness of matings by RK-treated males, we here investigate the remating propensity of females mated by RK-treated (1.25% or 5% RK in food) and RK-untreated (control) males. Tested males received RK supplements mixed in sugar and yeast hydrolysate for 2 days after emerging and then received only sugar. To test for male age-dependent effects, virgin females were mated to treated and untreated males that were 6, 8, 10, 20 or 30 days old. To test for persistence of sexual inhibition, mated females were tested for remating propensity at 1, 7 or 15 days after their first mating. RK-treated males did not differ from control males in copula duration, and females mated by RK-treated males did not differ from those mated by control males in remating propensity, second copula latency or second copula duration. RK-treated Q-fly males not only mate at younger ages but also their matings are as effective as those of untreated controls at inducing sexual inhibition in mates.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Phillip W. Taylor

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
rearing/culturing/mass production
general biology - morphology - evolution

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Bactrocera tryoni