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Mating Habits of the Liriomyza trifolii: Is There an Advantage of Double vs. Single Mating in the L. trifolii's Fitness?

CSEF · 2004 Zoology

Michael M. Ishimoto · Fowler High School, Fowler

Overview

Objectives/Goals The objective of this project is to determine if there is an advantage for a female Liriomyza trifolii to mate more than once. The null hypothesis was there will be no advantage of double mating versus single mating. Methods/Materials Eighty virgin female L. trifoliis were mated once with a male. The females were then placed into individual cages with a chrysanthemum to ovipost its offspring. After five days half of the females were removed from the cages and were remated with another male. All the females were placed back into the chrysanthemum cages. The offspring were given time to mature and then they were counted. Results Double and single matings produced an equal number of offspring. Amount of offspring produced: t-test: t=0.713, DF=78, P=0.4779. The mean of both matings were equal. Conclusions/Discussion The null hypothesis was proven by the results of the experiment. However, my results suggest L. trfolii does not perform multiple matings for more offspring. Multiple mating may serve another purpose such as increasing longevity and gene variation or the sperm and sperm fluid could have been used as a nutrient.

Summary statement

This experiment studied the mating habits of the Liriomyza trifolii to determine if double mating produces more offspring or has other functions.

Help received

Used lab equpment at the University of California, Davis under the supervision of Dr. Roy Kaspi; Participant in UCD Young Scholars Program.

Awards (1)

  • Category Award

Competition history

  • CSEF 2004 Zoology · Entry S1907

Resources

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