Skip to main content
ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Hilo, Hawaii » Daniel K. Inouye U.S. Pacific Basin Agricultural Research Center » Tropical Crop and Commodity Protection Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #287579
Title: Morphological features of the ovaries during Oogenesis of the Oriental fruit fly (Bactrocera dorsalis Hendel) in relation to the physiological age

Author
item CHOU, MING-YI - University Of Hawaii
item MAU, RONALD - University Of Hawaii
item Jang, Eric
item Vargas, Roger
item PINERO, JAIME - Lincoln University Of Missouri

Submitted to: Journal of Insect Science
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/24/2012
Publication Date: 12/9/2012
Citation: Chou, M., Mau, R.F., Jang, E.B., Vargas, R.I., Pinero, J. 2012. Morphological features of the ovaries during Oogenesis of the Oriental fruit fly (Bactrocera dorsalis Hendel) in relation to the physiological age. Journal of Insect Science. 12:144. Available Online: doi: 10-1673-031-012-14401

Interpretive Summary: Determination of physiological state (age) in insects is useful in furthering our understanding of how insect behavior changes with age. Central to this determination is the identification of characters that allow assessment of physiological age. While non-destructive measures are the most desired outcomes, internal markers may be more diagnostic and reliable. In this study, key morphological characters during the periods of previtellogenesis, (through vitellogeiesis) to ovulation were assessed as grading methodsmarkers to determine physiological states of oriental fruit fly, Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel) (Diptera: Tephritidae).

Technical Abstract: Determination of physiological state (age?) in insects is useful in furthering our understanding of how insect behavior changes with age. Central to this determination is the identification of characters that allow assessment of physiological age. While non-destructive measures are the most desired outcomes, internal markers may be more diagnostic and reliable. In this study, key morphological characters during the periods of previtellogenesis, (through vitellogeiesis) to ovulation were assessed as markers to determine physiological states of oriental fruit fly, Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel) (Diptera: Tephritidae). Ovary length, width, ovarian index (length x width) and egg load of laboratory-reared B. dorsalis females recorded daily shown significant differences in the ovarian index and egg load between females from each oogenesis stage. Parity status determined by the presences of follicular relics was found to provide high-accuracy classifications for B. dorsalis females. The presence of follicular relics with distinct morphological features provides a reliable identification tool to determine the physiological state of wild female oriental fruit fly. We discussed the potential applications of this technique to identify the physiological age of female fruit flies to study behavioral attributes in their natural habitat and in relation to field control.