Exposure to Ginger Root Oil Induces Male-Like Courtship Behavior in Female Mediterranean Fruit Flies (Diptera: Tephritidae)

Abstract

Earlier observations revealed that females of Ceratitis capitata (Wied.) adopted a male-like, calling posture when exposed to the male attractant a-copaene. The present study expanded on this finding and, using ginger root oil (GRO, which contains a-copaene) quantified 1) the incidence of male-like wing movements as well as calling behavior for immature and mature females, 2) the effect of prior mating and different exposure regimes to GRO on the display of male-like courtship behaviors, and 3) the effect of exposure to GRO on female mating propensity. GRO’s influence varied with female age and mating status. Immature females exposed to the chemical failed to exhibit any male-like courtship, and the incidence of male behaviors among treated females was much lower for mated than virgin females of similar age. GRO’s effect also varied with the duration and timing of exposure and declined greatly after prolonged (2 h) exposure or removal of the GRO source altogether. Exposure to GRO, while acting to “masculinize” females, had no lasting effect on female receptivity, and treated and control females had similar mating frequencies in tests conducted 1 h or 2 d after exposure to the GRO source.