EFFECTS OF INGESTED ETHANOL ON ADULTDROSOPHILA MELANOGASTER(DIPTERA: DROSOPHILIDAE)

Abstract

An apparatus consisting of a plastic box and a feeding circuit permits the calculation of μl volumes of ethanol ingested by Drosophila melanogaster Meigen. The net amount of ethanol taken (expressed in 100% ethanol) has been examined in various experimental conditions: sucrose solutions, ethanol–sucrose solutions at various sucrose and alcohol concentrations, ethanol solutions - cube of sucrose and ethanol solutions alone. The data obtained on ingestion by Drosophila show that the consumption of sucrose solutions was inversely proportional to the concentrations of sucrose. The amount of ethanol ingested during 14 days was directly related to the concentration of ethanol in the diets although in general the total volume of solution consumed did not vary significantly in most cases. The analyses of observations of 14 days showed that decreased mortality was obtained with the rise in the concentration of sucrose in sucrose-water solutions in 0.5–3% range and the mortality increased with the rise in the concentration of ethanol in the diets, yet ethanol-sucrose was better than cube of sugar alone.

Alcohol Consumption as Self-Medication against Blood-Borne Parasites in the Fruit Fly

“…Fly consumption of food with moderate levels of ethanol (i.e. less than 4% by volume) results in increased fitness [16-18], but consumption of higher ethanol concentrations (i.e. greater than 4%) causes increasing fly mortality [18-20].…”

“…It is not surprising that D. melanogaster are highly attuned to ethanol concentration [36-38] given the previously characterized fitness benefits and costs of different levels of ethanol [16-20], along with the variation in ethanol content across rotting fruits, within rotting fruits, and temporally during the fruit rotting process. We have shown here that ethanol provides novel benefits to flies by reducing wasp infection (Figure 1B), by increasing infection survival (Figure 2B, 2C), and by allowing for a behavioral immune response against wasps based on consumption of it in toxic amounts (Figure 3, 4).…”

A Novel Paradigm for Nonassociative Long-Term Memory inDrosophila: Predator-Induced Changes in Oviposition Behavior

“…Drosophila larvae and adults in particular derive benefit from consumption of low concentrations of ethanol by converting ethanol to energy stores, increasing development speed, and increasing overall longevity (Chawla et al 1981;Parsons 1981;Geer et al 1985). However, at higher ethanol concentration (.4%), D. melanogaster larval development is protracted and flies suffer from increased mortality (McKenzie and McKechnie 1978;Chawla et al 1981;Parsons 1981;Geer et al 1985). D. melanogaster has evolved a high resistance to ethanol, including compared to other Drosophila species, and can grow in artificial media with ethanol concentrations upward of 10% by volume (David 1983;Mercot et al 1994;Kacsoh et al 2013).…”

“…Both the changes in oviposition depression and ethanol food preference elicited by the wasp require an intact Drosophila visual system (Kacsoh et al 2013). Drosophila larvae and adults in particular derive benefit from consumption of low concentrations of ethanol by converting ethanol to energy stores, increasing development speed, and increasing overall longevity (Chawla et al 1981;Parsons 1981;Geer et al 1985). However, at higher ethanol concentration (.4%), D. melanogaster larval development is protracted and flies suffer from increased mortality (McKenzie and McKechnie 1978;Chawla et al 1981;Parsons 1981;Geer et al 1985).…”

Male sexual behaviour and ethanol consumption from an evolutionary perspective: A comment on “Sexual Deprivation Increases Ethanol Intake inDrosophila”

“…Flies that live in low concentrations of ethanol have better survival and increased longevity than flies that lack ethanol in their environment. [30][31][32] Although high concentrations of ethanol can be toxic, Drosophila can develop tolerance to ethanol, so that they improve recovery after subsequent ethanol consumption. 33 Furthermore, Drosophila consume ethanol to self-medicate against parasites 34 and they can balance the concentration of ethanol intake to avoid harmful intoxication.…”