Feeding on yeast hydrolysate enhances attraction to cue‐lure in Queensland fruit flies, Bactrocera tryoni

Abstract

Feeding on yeast hydrolysate (a source of nitrogen) has a strong influence on the physiology and behaviour of the Queensland fruit fly (Q-fly), Bactrocera tryoni (Froggatt) (Diptera: Tephritidae), affecting longevity, sexual maturation, oogenesis, and mating performance. In this study, we demonstrate that access to yeast hydrolysate also influences the development of attraction to cue-lure in Q-flies. We provided virgin Q-flies various periods of access to yeast hydrolysate (continuous, 48 h, 24 h, or deprived). Attraction of males to cue-lure was increased and occurred at an earlier age when they were fed yeast hydrolysate. Males given continuous access were strongly attracted to cue-lure at a younger age (8 days after emergence), but by 12 days after emergence attraction of males given access to yeast hydrolysate for 48 h did not differ from males given continuous access. Attraction by males deprived or given just 24 h access to yeast hydrolysate was always significantly lower than those of males with continuous access. Male attraction to cue-lure was highest in the early morning. While cue-lure is most often thought of as a male attractant, virgin female Q-flies were caught in cue-lure traps at dusk at ages when they are known to be sexually mature. We suggest that cue-lure or similar natural chemicals play a role in the Q-fly mating system. γ -Irradiation used to induce sterility had no significant effect on attraction to cue-lure by Q-flies.

The ecology of Bactrocera tryoni (Diptera: Tephritidae): what do we know to assist pest management?

“…For other Bactrocera species the male lures can enhance male mating competitiveness, act as mate rendezvous sites and afford protection from predators (see a review by Raghu, 2004). Foraging is related to sexual maturity, with sexually mature males being most responsive (Weldon et al, 2008). Male B. tryoni forage most strongly for cue-lure in the morning (Weldon et al, 2008), but peaks of foraging activity may depend on local ambient temperature (Brieze-Stegeman et al, 1978).…”

“…Attraction to cue-lure by B. tryoni is through up-wind anemotaxis (Meats & Hartland, 1999), while the presence of cue-lure in the local environment increases B. tryoni flight activity (Dalby-Ball & Meats, 2000b). Sexually mature, but virgin B. tryoni have been demonstrated to respond to cue-lure in field cages (Weldon et al, 2008), leading the authors of that study to suggest that cue-lure may be associated with the mating system (acting as a mate rendezvous signal or male pheromone precursor), as has been suggested or confirmed for other cue-lure and ME responsive species (Raghu, 2004). As for other Bactrocera species, female B. tryoni are traditionally regarded as being nonlure responsive (Hill, 1986;Drew, 1987a), but this view is changing slightly as more data are gathered.…”

Effects of methyl eugenol and raspberry ketone/cue lure on the sexual behavior of Bactrocera species (Diptera: Tephritidae)

“…opiliae, Fitt, 1981a) and RK/CL-responding species (B. cucurbitae, Cunningham, 1989;B. tryoni, Brieze-Stegeman et al, 1978;Weldon et al, 2008). In all these species, mating activity is concentrated at dusk, revealing marked temporal asynchrony between male response to lures and mating activity.…”

Dispersal of mass‐reared sterile, laboratory‐domesticated and wild male Queensland fruit flies

“…The release rates necessary for successful suppression of Q‐fly populations using SIT are also partly determined by their ability to survive to a mature age, at which time they also start to respond to traps (Fletcher 1974; Meats et al. 1988; Meats 1998b; Weldon et al. 2008).…”