The significance of multiple mating and mixed insemination by sterile and fertile males of Glossina PaipaJis Palpalis

Abstract

The influence of the duration of intervals between successive copulation of sterile and fertile males on female fecundity in Glossina palpalis palpalis was examined. Result indicated that there was no different in the receptivity of females to alternate mating chances with sterile or fertile males from 3 mating tests carried out within an interval of 24 hours. when females were 3 days old. Older females were less receptive to multiple mating. The first mating had a predominant effect on the productivity of the twice or thrice muted females. However sperm mixing was likely to have occurred in the spermathecae since the second or third mating with either sterile or fertile mall’s produced significant effects on the productivity of the mated females. This was irrespective of the order in which the types of males were presented. Where mixed insemination occurred. the sterile sperm from males treated with 12 had gamma rays in air were found to be competitive with fertile sperm in G.p. palpalis. Because multiple mating behaviour affects the ultimate goal of the Sterile Insect Technique only if the sperm from the sterile insects arc not competitive. multiple mating and mixed insemination in G p. palpalis are not likely to be detrimental to the success of sterile Insect Technique for tsetse control.