Pseudomale Courtship Behavior of the Female Mediterranean Fruit Fly, Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann)

Abstract

Virgin laboratory females of the Mediterranean fruit fly perform a series of behavioral actions which closely resembles the courtship repertoire of their males. This pseudomale courtship behavior occurs when females are separated from males at eclosion and maintained beyond their optimum sexual period. It is postulated that under these conditions, females exhibit behavioral actions which may possibly enhance their chances of mating during periods when potential mates may be less frequent in the natural population.