Sexual selection in the greater wax moth Galleria mellonella L.
Author of the article:LUO Li-Lin; LI Cong-Chun; LONG Li-Yan; HUANG Zhen-Xing; WANG Xing-Hong; YANG Guang-Ming; YI Tian-Ci;
Author's Workplace:Guizhou Institute of Biology, Guiyang 550009, China; Guangrao Vocational School of Secondary Technical Education, Guangrao 257335, China; Taijiang County Agricultural and Rural Bureau, Taijiang 556300, China ; Institude of Entomology of Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, China
Key Words:Galleria mellonella; sexual selection; body weight; age; mating experiences
Abstract:
[Objectives] To identify factors influencing sexual
selection in the greater wax moth Galleria mellonella L.. [Methods] The mate preferences
of weighed and individually marked G.
mellonella adults was observed and recorded under red light lamps during
the scotophase at a temperature of (26 ± 0.5)℃ and a relative humidity of 60%. [Results] Both adult females and males tended to choose
mates that were similar in weight. Furthermore, both sexes preferred to choose
mates that were three-days-old. Female preferences for males of different ages
could be ranked as follows: three-days old > five-days old > one-day old,
whereas male preferences for females of different ages were: three-days old
> one-day old > five-days old. Mating experience affected mate choice
with 74.6% of females preferentially mating with sexually experienced males and
79.4% of males preferentially mating with sexually experienced females. [Conclusion] Weight, age, and mating experience all
affect mate choice in G. mellonella. These results enhance our understanding of the role of sex
pheromones in G. mellonella and
provide a foundation for identifying these compounds and using them to
control this pest.