Mating behavior of the melon fly, dacus cucurbitae coquillett (Diptera:Tephritidae): Comparative studies of one wild and two laboratory strains

Abstract

Sexually mature virgin females of the melon fly, Dacus cucurbitae, were strongly attracted to live mature males. Wing vibration and posterior abdomen beating behaviors of males seemed to be related to pheromone emission. These behaviors of males were elicited as they approached females. Comparative observations of the temporal aspects of mating behavior among three strains were conducted. The old laboratory strain (OS) and the new laboratory strain (NS) showed a similar temporal pattern in wing vibration behavior and copulation. NS initiated these sexual activities earlier in the day than the wild strain (WS). The progeny of NS (NP) and WS (WP) reared on squash for one generation showed a temporal mating pattern similar to NS and WS, respectively. This fact suggests that the differences in mating behavior pattern between NS and WS are genetically based. The results obtained in comparisons of female response to male pheromone among OS, NS, and WS were very similar to those obtained for mating behavior. © 1982, JAPANESE SOCIETY OF APPLIED ENTOMOLOGY AND ZOOLOGY. All rights reserved.