Structure and Function of the Rectal Epithelium and Anal Glands During Mating Behavior in the Mediterranean Fruit Fly Male

Abstract

Previous authors have implicated a pair of anal glands as the primary source of the pheromone used in the mating behavior of the Mediterranean fruit fly male. The dissemination of the pheromone is enhanced by the rectal epithelium which is everted and expanded during mating behavior. Observations of the rectal epithelium and anal glands are presented.