The influence of host nutritive value on the performance and food selection in Ceratitis capitata (Diptera, Tephritidae)

Abstract

One of the purposes of this study was to verify the nutritive value of different parts of the same fruit for larvae of Ceratitis capitata; another was to ascertain if the larvae select the part of the fruit with better nutritive value, and also if the females prefer to oviposit in it. The results indicate that: (1) the lower part of the fruits tested has greater quantities of solute and sugars and therefore may have better nutritive value; (2) the larvae chose the more adequate part of the fruit; (3) when placed on the less nutritive part, they move to the more adequate part; and (4) it is not clear if the females prefer to oviposit in the part of the fruit which is more adequate for the larvae.