ABSTRACT
Ovarian sizes (length and width) were measured in young females of Anastrepha fraterculus (Wiedemann) (Diptera, Tephritidae) subjected or not to the inhibitor α -difluormethylornithine (α -DFMO). The most effective concentration of α -DMFO used was 50 mM and the ovarian measurements (length and width) of the treated females were smaller than those of females not treated with α -DMFO. These data may suggest some relationship between ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) and sexual maturation in A. fraterculus.
As dimensões dos ovários (comprimento e largura) foram mensuradas em fêmeas jovens da Anastrepha fraterculus (Wiedemann) (Diptera, Tephritidae) submetidas ou não ao inibidor α -difluormetilornitina (α -DFMO). A concentração mais efetiva de α -DMFO utilizada foi 50 mM e as medidas (comprimento e largura) das fêmeas tratadas com o inibidor foram menores que as fêmeas não tratadas com inibidor α -DMFO. Estes dados podem sugerir uma relação entre ornitina descarboxilase (ODC) e maturação sexual em A. fraterculus.
Subject(s)
Animals , Female , Eflornithine/pharmacology , Enzyme Inhibitors/pharmacology , Ornithine Decarboxylase/antagonists & inhibitors , Ovary/drug effects , Tephritidae/drug effects , Organ Size/drug effects , Ovary/growth & development , Tephritidae/anatomy & histology , Tephritidae/enzymologyABSTRACT
Ovarian development, oviposition, larval eclosion, ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) activity, ovarian, testis and ejaculatory apodeme measurements (length, width, and area), and the number of spermatozoa of Anastrepha fraterculus (Wiedemann) were analyzed at alternating (20º/6ºC and 20º/13°C) and constant (6°C; 25°C) temperatures. Life span and life expectancy were also analyzed for both genders. All the results suggest that temperature, especially alternating temperatures, increase not only male and female reproductive potential but also their life span and life expectancy. These changes can be a powerful strategy triggered by A. fraterculus as a means to survive the stressful temperature conditions found in winter in the apple production region in Brazil, enabling this species to increase its population density and cause apple damage when spring begins