An analysis of nonrandom mating between geographic strains of the housefly, Musca domestica L., from western United States

The geographic variation in components of mating behavior of the housefly, Musca domestica L., was studied. Specifically, determinations were made as to whether differences in mating success among geographic strains could possibly isolate natural populations by limiting gene flow within the species. It was found that mating success for males varied significantly among these strains. While this did not prevent random mating in every case, it would decrease gene flow from southern into northern populations. Assortative mating and the "minority effect" were found to be not significant.