Oviposition preference in the oligophagous tomato fruit fly, Neoceratitis cyanescens

Abstract

We assessed the role of visual and olfactory cues on oviposition preference in the oligophagous tomato fruit fly, Neoceratitis cyanescens (Bezzi) (Diptera: Tephritidae). In a field survey, we evaluated the stage of susceptibility of field‐grown tomatoes by monitoring N. cyanescens infestations from fruit‐setting up to harvest, in relation to post‐flowering time, size, and visual properties of fruit. In two‐choice laboratory experiments, we tested the degree to which females use visual and olfactory cues to select their host plant for oviposition. In addition, we investigated the ability of flies to avoid fruit already infested by conspecific eggs or larvae, and the influence of natal host fruit on oviposition preference. Neoceratitis cyanescens females preferentially lay their eggs in small yellow‐green unripe fruit (2–3.5 cm diameter, 10–21 days post‐flowering). Damage to fruit was significantly affected by brightness and size properties. In laboratory experiments, females chose to lay their eggs in bright orange rather than yellow domes. On the sole basis of olfactory stimuli, females showed a significant preference for unripe vs. ripe host fruit, for unripe fruit vs. flowers or leaves, and for host vs. non‐host fruit (or control). However, colour interacted with odour as females dispatched their eggs equally between the yellow dome and the bright orange dome when unripe fruit of tomato was placed under the yellow dome vs. ripe fruit under the bright orange dome. When offered real ripe and unripe tomatoes, females preferred unripe tomatoes. Females significantly chose to lay eggs in non‐infested fruit when they were given the choice between these or fruit infested with larvae. In contrast, recent stings containing eggs did not deter females from laying eggs. Rather, they could have an attractive effect when deposited within <1 h. Regardless of their natal host plant, tomato or bugweed, N. cyanescens females laid significantly more eggs in a dome containing bugweed fruit. However, 15% of females originating from tomato laid eggs exclusively in the dome with tomato, against 3% of females originating from bugweed.

Essential oils of citrus fruit stimulate oviposition in the Mediterranean fruit fly Ceratitis capitata (Diptera: Tephritidae)

“…In dual‐choice experiments on the effects of citrus peel oils and pure chemicals as well, the numbers of eggs laid by females in each oviposition device were compared using the nonparametric Wilcoxon's test for paired samples. The proportions for each treatment when the females exclusively laid eggs in one of the two devices (exclusivity of the response) (Brévault & Quilici, 2009) were analyzed using the G ‐test.…”

Dendrometer Stem Monitoring of Tomato Plants Attacked by Whiteflies in Greenhouses

“…Female adults found within the greenhouse and in the plastic traps were more than males. Brevault [7] also observed a majority of female adults in the tomato crop laying eggs.…”

“…Adults feed by sucking juices from the underside of the leaf and produce a honey dew which causes leaf darkening. The development cycle from egg to adult takes up to one month [7]. Flies are responsible for severe physiological disorders in tomato, as irregular ripening reported in Culiacan, Mexico [4].…”

Olfactory Responses of Anastrepha obliqua (Diptera: Tephritidae) to Mango Fruits as Influenced by Cultivar and Ripeness Stages

“…One possibility is that non-host fruits emitted compounds that inhibit the attraction of tephritid flies to non-host fruits. Few studies have investigated the role of non-host volatiles during the host searching process of tephritid fruit flies (Haisch and Levinson 1980, Linn et al 2005, Brévault and Quilici 2009). For example, Linn et al (2005) found that attraction of Rhagoletis pomonella (Walsh) (Diptera: Tephritidae) originating from apple ( Malus pumila Miller) (Rosales: Rosaceae), hawthorn ( Crataegus spp.…”