Deletion within Ir52a, removing codons specifying amino acid residues 31-447 (this includes two of the three predicted transmembrane domains and the predicted ligand binding domains). A loxP cassette containing the Disc\RFPDsRed(T1).3xP3.cHa marker has been inserted as part of the mutagenesis event.
Ir52a3 males show defective courtship behavior and copulation: fewer initiate courtship behavior (i.e. wing extension) towards virgin females, and spend much less time on it, and fewer achieve successful copulation with virgin females, as compared to controls; courtship behavior initiation towards other males is also severely decreased, as compared to controls. There are no obvious locomotor defects in both genders as assessed by climbing assays, and males move at similar speeds as controls during courtship.
Likewise, Ir52a3 females show a severe prolongation of the time to copulation and decreased frequency of copulation, despite of comparable courtship by paired males, as compared to controls.