Seminal compounds, female receptivity and fitness in the almond moth, Cadra cautella

Abstract

Seminal compounds variously affect female receptivity, fitness and longevity. Typically, they are delivered simultaneously with sperm. Thus, for most species, it is difficult to disentangle their relative contribution in altering female physiology and/or behaviour. However, the timing of seminal compound delivery is known for a few species, allowing direct manipulation and assessment of their effect on female reproduction. We examined the effect of seminal compounds on female fitness and longevity in the almond moth, where seminal compounds are delivered before the transfer of the sperm-containing spermatophore. We permitted females either one or two matings and manipulated the dose of semin..