Variance in female quality can result in males discriminating females either through precopulatory or via
postcopulatory choice. Male cryptic choice can be exhibited through copulation duration and strategic
ejaculation. Female quality can also affect sperm storage distribution. Here, we studied sperm allocation
in three tephritid flies with contrasting life histories and multiple sperm storage organs, Anastrepha
ludens (MX flies), Anastrepha obliqua (WI flies) and Anastrepha spatulata (AS flies). In addition, for MX
flies, we assessed the effect of female potential fecundity, size and diet on sperm allocation and the effect
of female age on sperm storage distribution. Sperm distribution during copulation differed between
species, which may be explained by their oviposition strategies. MX males mating with more fecund and
younger females had shorter copulation durations. Female quality also influenced sperm storage patterns,
as well-fed females stored more sperm in long-term sperm storage organs such as the ventral
receptacle compared to malnourished females. Detailed studies on how female quality affects sperm
transfer and sperm storage asymmetry will further our understanding on cryptic male choice.
2014 The Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.