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J Chem Ecol

Title:		"Foraging behavior of Anastrepha Ludens, A. obliqua, and A. serpentina in response to feces extracts containing host marking pheromone"
Author(s):		Aluja M; Diaz-Fleischer F;
Address:		"Instituto de Ecologia, A.C., Apartado Postal 63, 91000 Xalapa, Veracruz, Mexico. alujam@ecologia.edu.mx"
Journal Title:		J Chem Ecol
Year:		2006
Volume:		20060323
Issue:		2
Page Number:		367 - 389
DOI:		10.1007/s10886-005-9007-6
ISSN/ISBN:		0098-0331 (Print) 0098-0331 (Linking)
Abstract:		"Following oviposition, females of many Tephritid flies deposit host marking pheromones (HMPs) to indicate that the host fruit has been occupied. We describe the foraging behavior of these three economically important species (Anastrepha ludens and A. obliqua from the fraterculus species group and A. serpentina from the serpentina species group) when they encounter an artificial fruit (green agar spheres wrapped in Parafilm) marked with intra- and interspecific feces extracts that contain, among other substances, host marking pheromone. When flies encountered fruit treated with either 1 or 100 mg/ml feces extract, there were drastic and statistically significant reductions in tree residence time, mean time spent on fruit, and in the number of oviposition attempts or actual ovipositions when compared to the control treatment (clean fruit). These responses were almost identical irrespective of extract origin (i.e., fly species), indicating complete interspecific HMP cross-recognition by all three Anastrepha species tested. We discuss the ecological and practical implications of our findings"
Keywords:		Animals Feces/chemistry Feeding Behavior/drug effects/physiology Female Oviposition/drug effects/physiology Pheromones/*pharmacology Tephritidae/*drug effects/physiology;
Notes:		"MedlineAluja, Martin Diaz-Fleischer, Francisco eng Comparative Study Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't 2006/03/24 J Chem Ecol. 2006 Feb; 32(2):367-89. doi: 10.1007/s10886-005-9007-6. Epub 2006 Mar 23"