Sperm Precedence of the Last Mating in Spodoptera litura

Abstract
In the spermatheca of Spodoplera litura (F.) females, a 2nd mating resulted in the expulsion of sperm received from the 1st mating within 30 min of completion of copulation. However, sperm from both 1st and 2nd mating required in excess of 30 min from uncoupling to reach the spermatheca. Our data show that sperm precedence of the last mating in S. Litura occurs within predictable time limits with little or no mixing of sperm.