Variation in Laboratory Oviposition by Rhagoletis pomonella (Diptera: Tephritidae) in Relation to Mating Status

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Abstract
In the laboratory, females of R. pomonella were allowed to mate once, twice, or multiply, and to oviposit into artificial fruit. Females mated once did not differ from virgin females in total fecundity, rate of egg laying, or egg-laying longevity. Twice-mated and multiply-mated females had significantly greater total fecundity and demonstrated trends toward higher egg-laying rate and egg-laying longevity than virgin and once-mated females. Average female fertility increased and was maintained at a higher level over time with more matings. Female R. pomonella require multiple matings to achieve maximal reproduction (total number of hatching eggs) in the laboratory, apparently because sperm depletion occurs. In addition, increased oviposition results from behavioral interactions among R. pomonella individuals