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Male Accessory Gland Secretions Modulate Female Post-Mating Behavior in the Moth Spodoptera litura

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Abstract

The study of male insects’ accessory gland (MAG) secretions will promote our understanding of reproductive strategies and their evolution, and will facilitate the development of new approaches for pest control. Here, we carried out a series of experiments to determine the functions of MAG secretions on modulating female post-mating behavior in the moth Spodoptera litura. Results showed that females injected with MAG secretions called and mated significantly less than controls in the night after treatment, which were independent of mechanical stimulation during mating and the presence of sperm. However, a successful mating resulted in a longer loss in sexual receptivity (lasting to the second night after mating). This study also demonstrated that MAG secretions not only triggered oviposition but also promoted egg development, which also were not dependent on mechanical stimulation during mating and the presence of sperm. MAG secretions also showed negative effect on female longevity, which may be because MAG secretions stimulate females to allocate more resources to egg development and oviposition, leaving fewer resources for survival. Results of this study also suggest that oviposition behaviors incur energy costs. The hypothesis that virgin females may conduct oosorption to prolong longevity is not supported.

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Acknowledgments

Research reported here was supported by projects from the National Natural Science Foundation Program of P.R. China (31160434 and 31260105), and the Department of Science and Technology of Yunnan Province of P.R. China (2011FZ004) and the Department of Education of Yunnan Province, P.R. China (2011Z110).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Biological Invasion and Ecosecurity, Yunnan University, Kunming, 650091, People’s Republic of China

    Jin-Feng Yu, Cong Li, Jin Xu & Hui Ye

  2. College of Forestry, Southwest Forestry University, Kunming, 650224, People’s Republic of China

    Cong Li & Jian-Hong Liu

Authors
  1. Jin-Feng Yu
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  2. Cong Li
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  3. Jin Xu
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  4. Jian-Hong Liu
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  5. Hui Ye
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Correspondence to Jin Xu or Hui Ye.

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Jin-Feng Yu and Cong Li contributed equally.

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Yu, JF., Li, C., Xu, J. et al. Male Accessory Gland Secretions Modulate Female Post-Mating Behavior in the Moth Spodoptera litura . J Insect Behav 27, 105–116 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10905-013-9414-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10905-013-9414-4

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