Induction of oviposition by injection of male-derived extracts in two Callosobruchus species

Abstract

In some insect species, certain substances in the seminal fluid of males induce egg production and laying in females. We determined the effects of male-derived substances on female oviposition behaviour in two Callosobruchus species, C. chinensis and C. maculatus. Aqueous extracts of the accessory gland; testis; and seminal vesicle, including the ejaculatory duct, were prepared. The injection of these extracts into abdomen of females induced oviposition in both species. Oviposition was induced by the testis and seminal vesicle extracts in C. chinensis and by the accessory gland extracts in C. maculatus. The extracts were separated into three fractions by ultrafiltration: fractions I, molecular weight (MW) <3kDa; fraction II, 3–14kDa; and fraction III, >14kDa. Fraction III induced oviposition in both species. These results suggest that in these two species, the substances that induce oviposition have similar MW but are present in different organs. Oviposition was induced by high-MW (>14kDa) substances in the testis and seminal vesicle in C. chinensis, and by high-MW substances in accessory gland in C. maculatus. Here, we have discussed the relationship between oviposition and the abovementioned male-derived substances.