The development of locomotor activity in Drosophila melanogaster larvae

Abstract

During the trophic phase of their development Drosophila melanogaster larvae show a preference for moist substrates but mature larvae switch to preference for a dry substrate with the onset of pupation. The larvae also exhibit orthokinesis—an increase in speed of locomotion in the absence of food. The effective range of foraging activity measured in terms of ability to locate and move into a food source improves as development proceeds. Speed of locomotion increases with larval age, largely as a consequence of gain in body size, but also as a consequence of genetically controlled changes in locomotor activity per se. There is substantial directional dominance for increase in locomotor activity with age. © 1984, The Genetical Society of Great Britain.