The response of Drosophila parabipectinata to simulated courtship songs

Abstract

Abstract. Apparatus for simulating the long and short songs of Drosophila parabipectinata , and for measuring and specifying their sound particle velocity level is described, together with methods for observing courtship behaviour in the presence of the simulated songs. Removal of both wings of male flies significantly reduced their courtship success but removal of only one wing had no significant effect: this shows that the wings, as sound producers, are important for courtship success. Simulated D. parabipectinata short song significantly increased the locomotor activity of, and number of courtship interactions between, wingless male flies in the absence of female flies when played at sound levels of 78-84 dB. At 114-120 dB, although the flies became very active, the number of courtship interactions was not significantly different from that with silence at the start of the experiment. Pre-stimulation with simulated long song at 84 dB for 5 min followed by simulated short song at 84 dB during courtship significantly enhanced mating by wingless male D. parabipectinata compared with silence, or with stimulation during courtship by simulated short song alone or by long song alone.