Laboratory‐reared virgin females of 3 species of Tephritidae oviposited significantly fewer eggs than similar previously mated females. Melon flies,Dacus cucurbitaeCoquillett, were most affected (3.0X more eggs for mated females), and Mediterranean fruit flies,Ceratitis capitata(Wiedemann), were least affected; oriental fruit flies,D.dorsalisHendel, were in between. Numbers of eggs laid by females mated with males treated either with tepa in drinking water or with gamma irradiation were not significantly different from those laid by females mated with untreated males. Thus, mating per se was important in enhancing oviposition regardless of the fertility of the males.