Sexual Behavior of Drosophila suzukii

Insects

Santosh Revadi²  Sstien Lebreton²  Peter Witzgall²  Gianfranco Anfora¹  Teun Dekker²  Paul G. Becher² 

[1] Research and Innovation Centre, Fondazione Edmund Mach, Via E. Mach 1, San Michele All’Adige (TN), 38010, Italy; E-Mail:;Chemical Ecology Unit, Department of Plant Protection Biology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Alnarp, 23053, Sweden; E-Mails:

关键词: spotted wing Drosophila;    pheromone;    reproductive behavior;    courtship;    sexual receptivity;    chemical communication;   

DOI  :  10.3390/insects6010183

来源: mdpi

【 摘 要 】

A high reproductive potential is one reason for the rapid spread of Drosophila suzukii in Europe and in the United States. In order to identify mechanisms that mediate mating and reproduction in D. suzukii we studied the fly’s reproductive behavior, diurnal mating activity and sexual maturation. Furthermore, we studied the change of female cuticular hydrocarbons (CHCs) with age and conducted a preliminary investigation on the role of female-derived chemical signals in male mating behavior. Sexual behavior in D. suzukii is characterized by distinct elements of male courtship leading to female acceptance for mating. Time of day and age modulate D. suzukii mating activity. As with other drosophilids, female sexual maturity is paralleled by a quantitative increase in CHCs. Neither female CHCs nor other olfactory signals were required to induce male courtship, however, presence of those signals significantly increased male sexual behavior. With this pilot study we hope to stimulate research on the reproductive biology of D. suzukii, which is relevant for the development of pest management tools.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© 2015 by the authors; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.