Sperm Storage is not Subject to Cephalic Control in the Caribbean Fruit Fly, Anastrepha suspensa

Male Anastrepha suspensa exhibit a repertoire of “copulatory” behaviors involving the female head. This study examined the effect of female decapitation on copulation duration, and quantity and distribution of sperm in the four storage organs. Copulation duration and sperm storage were highly variable (16 to 160 min and 0 to 2,643 sperm, respectively). Sperm quantity variation was due primarily to storage patterns among three spermathecae. There was no significant correlation (Pearson, P > 0.05) between body size and copulation duration, or sperm stored in relation to both variables. Although mean copulation duration was significantly shorter for non-decapitated females (t-test, t = 8.48, P < 0.001), sperm quantity and storage patterns were not significantly different. These data suggest the near autonomy of the abdominal ganglion’s role in any female mediated effects on sperm storage.