Maternal age and larval developmental duration impact demographic characteristics of Ceratitis capitata progeny

Maternal effects have been documented in several insect taxa. However, the effect of the age of mother and that of immatures developmental duration on adult performance of true fruit flies (Diptera: Tephritidae) has yet to be addressed. The effects of maternal age and that of the variability in larval developmental duration on the demographic characteristics of Ceratitis capitata adults were tested. Under constant laboratory conditions, eggs laid by 10 and 40-days old females (mothers) were artificially implanted into apples. Pupae were collected daily, grouped according to larval developmental duration (short and long-developed larvae) and their size was recorded. Emerging adults from short and long-developed larvae, originating from young and old-mothers, were paired in individual cages with ad libitum access to adult diet and water to establish four different adult treatments. Adult mortality and female fecundity were recorded daily. Offsprings of old mothers suffered higher larval and lower pupal mortality in comparison with those originating from young mothers. The egg to pupa developmental duration was shorter and the pupae size larger for the progeny of old mothers compared with those of the young mothers. Longevity of adults with short larval development was longer than that of the long-developed ones, regardless of the age of mother. Neither the duration of larval development nor the mother's age affected the fecundity of female progeny. The effects of maternal age and of the variability during immature development on the demographic parameters of the progeny are discussed.

Automated summary

This study investigated the effects of maternal age and larval developmental duration on the performance of adult true fruit flies. The results showed that offspring of older mothers had higher larval mortality and lower pupal mortality. Additionally, the offspring of older mothers had shorter developmental duration and larger pupal size. Furthermore, the longevity of adults with shorter larval development was longer than that of adults with longer larval development.