Age at mating is one of the most important factors that affect mating success and reproductive fitness in insects. The present study investigated how the age of the two sexes at mating determined mating success, reproductive fitness and longevity in Phauda flammans (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Phaudidae), a serious pest of Ficus spp. trees in South and Southeast Asia. The study may provide basic knowledge for the development of mating disruption programs using sex pheromones to control this pest. The species is monandrous and its adults live for only 4-5 d. We show that delayed mating significantly lowered mating success in both sexes, with males being more severely affected than females. Mating delay also reduced reproductive outputs of both sexes but females were more negatively affected than males. We did not find any effect of delayed mating on longevity of either sex. Our findings suggest that mating disruption with sex pheromones can be an effective method to delay mating in P. flammans, reducing reproductive success and thus limit population growth.

中文翻译：

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交配延迟会降低繁殖性能，但不能降低单蛾的寿命。

交配年龄是影响昆虫交配成功和繁殖适应性的最重要因素之一。本研究调查了两性交配的年龄如何确定榕属严重害虫Phauda flammans（Walker）（鳞翅目：Phaudidae）的交配成功率，生殖适应能力和寿命。南亚和东南亚的树木。该研究可为利用性信息素控制该害虫的交配破坏程序的开发提供基础知识。该物种为一生，其成虫仅生存4-5 d。我们显示，延迟交配会显着降低男女的交配成功率，男性比女性受到的影响更大。交配延迟也降低了男女的生殖能力，但女性比男性受到的负面影响更大。我们没有发现延迟交配对两性寿命有任何影响。我们的研究结果表明，与性信息素的交配破坏可能是延缓火烈鸟交配的有效方法，从而降低繁殖成功率，从而限制种群的增长。