Reproductive Differences between Laboratory-reared and Field-collected Populations of the Mediterranean Fruitfly, Ceratitis capitata1, 2

Abstract

The reproductive differences between laboratory-reared and field-collected populations of the Mediterranean fruitfly, Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann), were studied in the laboratory. The laboratory population was reared for over 12 years under conditions differing from outdoors conditions and in complete isolation from field populations. The 2 experimental populations differed in their preoviposition periods and egg hatch but not in the female's longevity or total and daily oviposition. The F1 hybrid females were heterotic, lived longer, had a longer oviposition period and a higher oviposition rate than either parental populations. No genetic breakdown of the F2 hybrids was evident. Rudimentary sexual isolation between the field and laboratory populations was evident and expressed in low egg hatch in heterogamic crosses and in the F1 homogamic crosses.