Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata (2008) 127, 133-143
Aruna Manrakhan and Slawomir Antoni Lux (2008)
Effect of food deprivation on attractiveness of food sources, containing natural and artificial sugar and protein, to three African fruit flies: Ceratitis cosyra, Ceratitis fasciventris, and Ceratitis capitata
Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata 127 (2), 133-143
Abstract: The effects of food deprivation, age, and mating status on the responses of three fruit fly species, Ceratitis cosyra (Walker), Ceratitits fasciventris (Bezzi), and Ceratitits capitata (Wiedemann) (Diptera: Tephritidae) to natural and artificial sugar and protein food sources were investigated. Natural food sources included guava [Psidium guajava L. (Myrtaceae)] juice (a common host fruit for all three fruit fly species) and bird faeces (farm chicken). Artificial food sources included molasses (obtained from a local sugar factory) and a locally produced protein bait (the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology yeast). In all species studied, sugar deprivation of immature (1-2-day-old) male and female flies increased their response to food odours, although it did not change their preference for the type of odour (protein or sugar). Protein deprivation of mature (14-17-day-old) male and female flies also increased their response to food odours compared to protein-fed flies. Protein-deprived females were highly attracted to odours from protein sources in particular. Odours from natural food sources, guava juice, and chicken faeces, were more attractive to food-deprived flies than were odours from artificial sugar and protein sources. Attraction to food odours increased significantly with increasing age for protein-deprived females of all species. For males and females of all species, nutritional state was a more important factor than mating status in influencing responses of flies to food odours. Practical implications of these findings are discussed in terms of strategies for fruit fly control using food baits.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Aruna Manrakhan
Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
general biology - morphology - evolution
pheromones/attractants/traps
Pest and/or beneficial records:
Beneficial | Pest/Disease/Weed | Crop/Product | Country | Quarant.
|
---|---|---|---|---|
Ceratitis capitata | ||||
Ceratitis cosyra | ||||
Ceratitis fasciventris |