Relationship of Multiple Mating to Fertility in Atteva punctella (Lepidoptera: Yponomeutidae)1

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Abstract
Evidence from single-pair matings shows the primary stimulus for oviposition and long-term inhibition of female receptivity to be the presence of an adequate supply of viable sperm or a factor associated with sperm in the spermatheca. The presence of a spermatophore does not initiate oviposition but probably is responsible for a short-term inhibition of receptivity. The receptivity of mated females and consequently the frequency of multiple mating is inversely proportional to the effectiveness of fecundation. Infertile first matings are relatively common and multiple mating is seen primarily as an adaptation to permit an inadequately fecundated female to mate with a second male. Since most multiple-mated females produced offspring sired by only 1 male, multiple mating does not contribute greatly to the genetic diversity of the population. Excessive mating (>3) by wild females is probably indicative of a female malfunction.