Receptivity of female remating and sperm number in the sperm storage organ in the bean bug, Riptortus clavatus (Heteroptera: Alydidae)

Abstract

AbstractThis study examines the relationship between the number of sperm in the seminal receptacle (spermatheca) and the receptivity of female remating in the bean bug Riptortus clavatus Thunberg. On the 21 st day after the first mating when receptivity to remating was > 70%, females receptive to remating had significantly fewer sperm (< 40 on average) in the spermathecae than females reluctant to do (about 150 on average). However, averages of the number of eggs laid by receptive and reluctant females within 21 days were almost same. The proportion of fertilized eggs for receptive females at 15–21 days after copulation was significantly lower than that for reluctant females. Spermatozoa transferred from a male to a female's spermatheca were detected 5 min after copulation and then increased continuously to about 500 with the first hour. When copulation durations were manipulated artificially, the shorter the copulation period (=females had less sperm in their spermathecae), the higher the remating rate became. Females may perceive the number of sperm in their seminal receptacles and then determine whether they copulate or not. These results support the hypothesis that females mate multiply in order to replenish inadequate sperm supplies to fertilize all eggs produced.