Anastrepha sororcula Zucchi, 1979, is a fruit fly species that can be considered a key pest to the production of guava (Psidium guajava L., 1758), fruit tree which has a wide distribution in Brazil. In view of the importance of this species as a natural pest of Brazilian horticulture and, considering the lack of data about its biology and behavior, the aim of this paper is to obtain information about the age of sexual maturation of A. sororcula in the laboratory and to describe its reproductive behavior. The males reached sexual maturity between 7 and 18 days after emergence, with most of the individuals becoming sexually mature between 10 and 13 days of age. They exhibited signalling behavior to the females, characterized by the distension of the pleural area of the abdomen, forming a small pouch on each side, and by the protrusion of a tiny membranous pouch of rectal cuticle that surrounds the anal area. During this display, the males produced rapid movements of vibration of the wings, producing audible sounds. A droplet was liberated from the anal area during the vibration movements of the wings. After attracting the females, the males accomplished a series of elaborated movements of courtship behavior. The females reached sexual maturation between 14 and 24 days after emergence, with the majority becoming sexually mature at 19 days. The daily exhibition of sexual activities was confined almost exclusively to the period of 16:00-17:30h. A. sororcula presented a sharp protandry pattern.
Fruit fly; mating behavior; reproduction; sexual maturation
