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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Gainesville, Florida » Center for Medical, Agricultural and Veterinary Entomology » Insect Behavior and Biocontrol Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #259974
Title: Female Anastrepha suspensa (Loew) response to the vibration component of male wing-fanning signals

Author
item Mankin, Richard
item EGAN, MACKENZIE - US Department Of Agriculture (USDA)

Submitted to: Fruit Flies of Economic Importance International Symposium
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/30/2010
Publication Date: 11/20/2010
Citation: Mankin, R.W., Egan, M. 2010. Female Anastrepha suspensa (Loew) response to the vibration component of male wing-fanning signals. Fruit Flies of Economic Importance International Symposium. p. 36-41.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Anastrepha suspensa (Loew) is an important pest of fruit crops in Florida and islands in the Caribbean region. Courtship and mating behaviors have been analyzed in previous studies to develop control methods. During courtship, males group in leks on leaves of host trees, fan their wings, and release pheromone to attract females. The wing fanning vibrations are transferred though their legs to the leaves and nearby stems. We hypothesized that females detect these wing-fanning vibrations, and their behavioral responses may affect the likelihood of mating. Bioassays were conducted in which females were exposed to periods of male wing-fanning vibrations and periods of quiet. The females flew or moved about less often during vibration periods than during quiet periods. This suggests that wing-fanning vibrations may function partly to reduce the likelihood that a female will move away from a male who approaches her to mate.