THE RESPONSES OF FRUIT FLY SPECIES (DIPTERA: TEPHRITIDAE) IN AUSTRALIA TO VARIOUS ATTRACT ANTS

Abstract

Specimens of Dacinae were collected in traps containing male attractants in Queensland and the Northern Territory. The resulting species‐attractant records are given for 55 species–39 of which responded to cue‐lure and 16 to methyl eugenol. No species responded to trimedlure. Five species which did not respond to male attractants were captured at liquid food lures. Comparative responses to attractants by 7 species were studied in held cage experiments. Twenty‐three of the known Australian species did not respond to male attractants. No species was attracted to both cue‐lure and methyl eugenol. Closely related species within species complexes responded to the same attractant. The attractant responses of species within the supra specific groups corresponded with the conclusions from a previous South Pacific study (Drew 1974). Copyright © 1981, Wiley Blackwell. All rights reserved