Effects of delayed mating on the fecundity, fertility, and longevity of Assara inouei Yamanaka

Assara inouei Yamanaka is an important pest of pomegranate fruits in Southwest China. The effects of different ages (0, 1, 3, 5, and 7 days after emergence) and sexes (females, males, or both sexes) of adults delayed mating on their fecundity, fertility, and longevity were studied. The results showed that when delayed mating for 1 day, regardless of sex, the mating rate and number of eggs laid per female were significantly greater than delayed mating for 0 day. Subsequently, with the extension of delayed mating days, the mating rate, oviposition period, number of eggs laid per female, and egg hatching rate decreased gradually, the mating duration decreased initially and then increased gradually, and the longevity of male and female increased gradually, while there was no significant change in the pre-oviposition period. Moreover, the negative effects of delayed mating on the reproduction were higher in both sexes than in males, with females being intermediate between them. Overall, A. inouei mating on the second day after emergence is optimal for successful reproduction. Delayed mating prolongs adult longevity, but has a negative impact on female reproduction, and the extent of this impact is significantly correlated with the age of adults delayed mating, with a sex effect. The interactions of delayed age and sex mainly affected the mating behavior of adults, but had little effect on their longevity and oviposition.