Chemosterilization and Mating Behavior of Male House Flies

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Abstract
Male and female house flies, Musca domestica L., reached sexual maturity in 20 and 40 hr, respectively, after emergence. From a single batch of pupae, matings occurred during the first 24 hr after emergence. The average time flies remained in coitu was 56 min, with a range of 34–93 min, and a standard deviation of 12 min. Insemination began as soon as copulation was physically established. Male flies, handicapped by removal of a wing or a leg, successfully mated with females. One microgram of tepa injected into male flies reached 50% sterilizing effectiveness in 23 min and full effectiveness in about 3½ hr. Male flies remain sterile for about 1 week. Partial restoration of male fertility occurred thereafter. Tepa was equally effective in sterilizing males of different ages.

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