Selection for light preference during ovipositing in Drosophila pseudoobscura

Abstract

Selection was carried out on a population of Drosophila pseudoobscura to obtain lines preferring high-light intensity or low-light intensity during oviposition. This species is generally characterized as preferring low-light intensities. It was possible to select for increased preference for high-light intensity, but not for low-light intensity during oviposition. However, additive genetic variability exists in preferences for both high- and low-light intensities. The original population was probably operating at a photonegative extreme for oviposition, yet maintained enough genetic variability to permit selection toward a photopositive preference.

Oviposition site selection in the crepuscular moth, Grapholita molesta: does light matter?

“…When given a choice between different light intensities, females exhibited a strong preference for brighter light. These results indicated that G. molesta females were sensitive to light intensity and, as such, they may be able to sense differences in the distribution of light intensities between host plant leaves in sunny and shaded sites, and to use light cues to accurately oviposit on sunny sites in natural conditions, just as diurnal species do (Seiger & Sanner, 1983; Wogaman & Seiger, 1983; Yang, 2006). Connor (2006) showed opposite responses to light in the leaf‐mining moth Cameraria hamadryadella (Clemens), and suggested that ovipositing females do not discriminate between sunny or shaded leaves.…”

“…For example, Yang (2006) has reported that the oviposition density of the periodical cicada, Magicicada spp., is affected by the ambient light of host plants in the field, with most eggs laid on plant areas with high light exposure. Given a choice between light intensities, Drosophila persimilis Dobzhansky and Epling prefer to lay eggs in high light intensity, whereas Drosophila pseudoobscura Frolova exhibit a preference for low light intensity (Richardson & Johnston, 1975; Seiger & Sanner, 1983; Wogaman & Seiger, 1983). However, oviposition responses to light are primarily found in insects that lay eggs during the day.…”

Effect of temperature on oviposition in four species of the melanogaster group of Drosophila

“…In general, behaviour of an organism is strongly influenced by environmental conditions Effect of different external factors on oviposition pattern has been investigated in various Drosophila species (Gruwez et al, 1971;Mckenzie, 1975;Ohnishi, 1977;Rockwell & Grossfield, 1978;Seiger & Sanner, 1983;Schnebel & Grossfield, 1986). Temperature plays an important role in oviposition behaviour of Drosophila species.…”

A Multifactorial Behavioral Study of Coexisting Drosophilid Species in Nature

“…In our laboratory, Wogaman and Seiger (1983) were able to distinguish between populations of Drosophila on the basis of their light preference during oviposition. Further, selection experiments showed that these light preferences are under genetic control (Seiger and Sanner, 1983). In addition, sympatric species could be distinguished on the basis of their choice of an oviposition site.…”