Influence of Temperature on Copula Duration and Mating Propensity in Lucilia cuprina Wiedemann (Diptera: Calliphoridae)

Abstract

There was a logarithmic decline in copula duration with increasing temperature in adult L. cuprina. Copula duration varied from 26 min at 17°C to 7 min at 41°C. Temperature had no effect on the time from pairing to the first mating attempt. the frequency of mating attempts by males increased with rising temperatures between 15–30°C, but declined at >30°C. the time from pairing to the start of mating was quickest at 25 °C, declining with increasing temperatures. the optimal temperature for mating was between 25–30 °C, when frequency of mating attempts and the proportion of flies mating were highest, whilst time from pairing to both the first mating attempt and the start of mating were lowest. the temperature threshold for mating was around 16°C. Copyright © 1994, Wiley Blackwell. All rights reserved