Post-mating interactions and their effects on fitness of female and male Echinothrips americanus (Thysanoptera: Thripidae), a new insect pest in China.
Post-mating, sexual interactions of opposite sexes differ considerably in different organisms. Post-mating interactions such as re-mating behavior and male harassment can affect the fitness of both sexes. Echinothrips americanus is a new insect pest in Mainland China, and little is known about its post-mating interactions. In this study, we observed re-mating frequency and male harassment frequency and their effects on fitness parameters and offspring sex ratios of E. americanus females. Furthermore, we tested the impact of mating and post-mating interactions on fitness parameters of males. Our results revealed that the re-mating frequency in female adults was extremely low during a 30-day period. However, post-mating interactions between females and males, consisting mainly of male harassment and female resistance, did occur and significantly reduced female longevity and fecundity. Interestingly, increased access to males did not affect the ratio of female offspring. For males, mating dramatically reduced their longevity. However, post-mating interactions with females had no effects on the longevity of mated males. These results enrich our basic knowledge about female and male mating and post-mating behaviors in this species and provide important information about factors that may influence population regulation of this important pest species.
Key Laboratory of Plant Protection Resources and Pest Management, Ministry of Education, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China ; Department of Entomology, Cornell University, New York State Agricultural Experiment Station, Geneva, New York, United States of America.
Xiao-Wei
XW
Li
Key Laboratory of Plant Protection Resources and Pest Management, Ministry of Education, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China.
Hong-Xue
HX
Jiang
Key Laboratory of Plant Protection Resources and Pest Management, Ministry of Education, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China.
Xiao-Chen
XC
Zhang
Department of Entomology, Cornell University, New York State Agricultural Experiment Station, Geneva, New York, United States of America.
Anthony M
AM
Shelton
Key Laboratory of Plant Protection Resources and Pest Management, Ministry of Education, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China.
Ji-Nian
JN
Feng
D000818:Animals; D002681:China; D005260:Female; D005298:Fertility; D008017:Life Expectancy; D008297:Male; D010058:Oviposition; D012098:Reproduction; D012744:Sex Ratio; D012726:Sexual Behavior, Animal; D061149:Thysanoptera / Q000502:physiology*