Spatial distributions and clutch sizes of Drosophila species ovipositing on cherry fruits of different stages

Abstract

In the aggregation theory, aggregation of eggs is one of important conditions for the coexistence of species. However, aggregation of eggs by clutch laying does not always promote coexistence, whereas aggregation of eggs by aggregated distributions of ovipositing females always has a significant contribution to the coexistence. In this study, spatial distributions of three Drosophila species across naturally occurring cherry fruits were studied with relation to their clutch sizes. Drosophila suzukii oviposited eggs mainly on fresh fruits on trees, and its eggs were randomly distributed across cherry fruits. The emergence data also indicated random spatial distributions of this species. Random egg distributions of this species are explained by random visits of females to fruits and the production of clutches of mostly single eggs. On the other hand, D. lutescens and D. rufa oviposited on fallen fruits, showed aggregated distributions in the emergence data, and frequently produced clutches of a few eggs. In these species, the degree of aggregation was usually significantly lower than the expectation based on random visits of females to fruits and their clutch sizes observed in the present experiments, indicating that their aggregation is unlikely to arise from aggregated distributions of ovipositing females. Thus, the spatial aggregation of these species does not necessarily lead to their coexistence.

First record of the invasive pest Drosophila suzukii in Ukraine indicates multiple sources of invasion

“…suzukii is one of the very few drosophilids that can oviposit in healthy, ripe fruits thus can cause considerable 47 damage to crops (Mitsui et al 2006; Lee et al 2011) resulting one of the most damaging pests of cultivated soft-skinned 48 tree fruits and berry crops in the temperate regions (Saguez et al 2013). Economic losses due to D. suzukii can be …”

Distribution, abundance and host association of two parasitoid species attacking frugivorous drosophilid larvae in central Japan

“…The reason for this is unknown, but there are hypotheses. Drosophila suzukii differs in its ecology from the three host species; it oviposits in fresh fruit before it falls from the trees, whereas the host species oviposit in fermenting fruit on the ground (Mitsui et al, 2006). For parasitoids, it may be costly to search for hosts both in the canopy of trees and on the ground.…”

Ecological, morphological and molecular studies on Ganaspis individuals (Hymenoptera: Figitidae) attacking Drosophila suzukii (Diptera: Drosophilidae)

“…is one of major resources of D. suzukii in late spring and early summer in central Japan (Nishiharu 1980;Mitsui et al 2006.…”

“…Females of this species lay eggs in ripening fruit before harvest and cause serious damage (Kanzawa 1939;Kimura et al 1977;Nishiharu 1980;Mitsui et al 2006Lee et al 2011;Walsh et al 2011;Calabria et al 2012), unlike many other fruit-feeding Drosophila species that lay eggs in damaged or rotting fruit.…”