Relationship between protein ingestion and sexual receptivity in females of the Australian sheep blowfly Lucilia cuprina

L. Barton Browne, R. J. Bartell, A.C.M. van Gerwen, L. A. Lawrence

Physiological Entomology · 2008 · 49 citations · 10 references

Concepts

Abstract

The receptivity of females of Luciliu cuprina to mating attempts is increased by protein feeding. Females became maximally receptive after consuming a quantity of protein which was insufficient to allow full ovarian development in any individual, and which was 25 % of that needed to produce full ovarian development in most flies. Receptivity increased progressively over 3 days following a protein meal taken on the day after emergence, but was almost maximal within 24 h when females were given a protein meal on the fifth day after emergence. Topical application of the insect growth regulator Altosid caused a marked increase in the sexual receptivity of non-protein fed females.

References

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