Age and dietary conditions influence male insemination success in the Mexican fruit fly (Anastrepha ludens)

Because many female insects limit reproductive effort in favor of increased survival during periods of resource scarcity, we tested the hypothesis that male Mexican fruit flies (Anastrepha ludens) would exhibit increased survival and decreased reproductive potential during periods of dietary restriction. The effect of dietary conditions on lifespan and reproduction was determined through comparisons of age specific insemination success and survival of males sustained on a full diet, consisting of a protein and sugar, to males who experienced delayed access or no access to protein. We also tested the effect of access to virgin females on male longevity. There were three major findings: 1) insemination success was conditional on age and to a lesser extent diet; 2) lifespan was dependent upon dietary conditions, with protein access leading to increased longevity; and 3) virginity associated with a protein source led to greatly increased longevity, while virginity associated with a sugar only diet led to a decrease in lifespan. Contrary to our hypothesis, male Mexican fruit flies will allocate available resources to reproduction, regardless of dietary conditions and mate availability.