Frequency of Multiple Insemination in Natural Populations of Drosophila

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Abstract
If a large proportion of female Drosophila in a population mate repeatedly, this behavior is considered an important component of fitness. A cautionary note is advanced that since samples of natural Drosophila populations are invariably taken under conditions which create a locally high density of flies (fermenting banana baits) and usually stored for hours or even days in small food vials before females are isolated, multiple mating could occur under these artificial conditions. Data are thus not yet available which will determine whether repeated mating is a common phenomenon in nature.