Mating Behavior of Rhagoletis mendax (Diptera: Tephritidae) Flies in Nature1

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Abstract
The site of mating initiation of the blueberry maggot fly, Rhagoletis mendax Curran, shifts from blueberry leaves (feeding and shelter site) during early season to the fruit (oviposition site) thereafter. This shift appears to be a consequence of a shift in female activity and receptivity. Females were most receptive to mating early in the season while on leaves. Most matings initiated on fruit appeared to result from males force mating unreceptive females engaged in oviposition-related activities which limited female ability to flee or resist. Males mounted other males more often than they did females, indicating the inability of males to distinguish between the sexes before mounting.

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