A Limiting Factor of Sex Attractants of Bactrocera dorsalis (Diptera: Tephritidae), Verified under Laboratory Conditions

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Sexual attractants have emerged as a labor-saving and environmentally friendly technology for green pest control. The Oriental fruit fly, Bactrocera dorsalis, a global agricultural pest, is often managed using sex attractants such as methyl eugenol as part of green control measures. However, the practical efficacy of these attractants in field applications is often challenged due to the high mating frequency exhibited by male B. dorsalis individuals. In this study, we aimed to investigate the reproductive capacity of B. dorsalis under continuous mating conditions and assess the variations in reproductive ability under different mating conditions. The study highlights the importance of continuous pest control measures due to the pests’ strong reproductive ability under interval mating conditions. By comprehending these dynamics, researchers can develop improved strategies for green pest control, thus reducing the reliance on harmful pesticides and ensuring sustainable agricultural practices. These findings have valuable implications for society by promoting environmentally friendly pest management techniques, ultimately benefiting both crop production and the environment. ABSTRACT: At present, sexual attractants mainly control insect populations by killing males. However, the effect of sex attractants may be limited by the mating ability of the attracted insects. The Oriental fruit fly, Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel), has a strong reproductive capacity; it brings great losses to agricultural production, which can be controlled by methods using sex attractant methyl eugenol that mainly attracts males. Therefore, we studied the multiple and continuous (as well as consecutive) mating ability of B. dorsalis through behavioral experiments. The results show that male B. dorsalis can mate 11 times on average, with females mating only 1.93 times, and that 10.81% of males mate more than 20 times. The reproductive capacity of male B. dorsalis decreased significantly after four to five instances of continuous mating. In different mating patterns, the reproductive fitness of polyandry is not the highest, rather, interval mating is the best. A limiting factor of the sex attractant effect was revealed in B. dorsalis through behavioral evidence.