Sperm precedence pattern and the effect of irradiation on male mating competition in the oriental fruit fly, Bactrocera dorsalis

The sterile insect technique (SIT) is a feasible control strategy for the oriental fruit fly Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel) (Diptera: Tephritidae) attacking diverse fruits. Our understanding for the sperm precedence pattern and mating competition of the irradiated males of B. dorsalis relative to the unirradiated ones is important for SIT program. Here we employed the sterile male technique to determine sperm precedence pattern and compare their mating competition between the irradiated and unirradiated males B. dorsalis. Our results indicated that the unirradiated males were significantly more competitive at mating over the irradiated ones.Research | Biohelikon : Cell Biolog