Intra‐tree foraging behavior of Dacus dorsalis flies in relation to host fruit quantity, quality and type

Abstract

AbstractWe observed the fruit foraging behavior of mature female oriental fruit flies, Dacus dorsalis Hendel (Diptera, Tephritidae), released individually onto potted field‐caged host trees containing fruit of different quality, quantity, or type (no fruit, 3 or 12 uninfested kumquats, 12 infested kumquats, or 3 uninfested sweet oranges). Our findings were largely consistent with foraging‐behavior theory, and with previous results for Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann), and the apple maggot fly, Rhagoletis pomonella (Walsh): (1) flies left fruitless trees soon after release, (2) more flies visited fruit, and flies visited more fruit and spent more time on trees with increasing fruit density, and (3) Giving Up Time (time between last oviposition and leaving the tree) was significantly greater for flies visiting infested fruit than for those visiting uninfested fruit. Oriental fruit flies declined to oviposit in fruit containing conspecific larvae.