Distribution of drosophilid flies on Chinese bayberry fruits at different stages of maturity
Author of the article:ZHENG Jin-Tu1** ZHANG Tong-Xin1*** XU Yong-Jiang2 WANG Guo-Yun3TANG Ping-Hua1 FU Li-Wei4 LU Tin
Author's Workplace：1. Ningbo Technology Extension Center for Forestry and Specialty Forest Products, Ningbo 315012, China; 2. Forestry Special Technology Popularization Center of Cixi, Cixi 315300, China; 3. Yuyao Technique Extension Center for Forestry and Specialty Forest Products, Yuyao 315400, China; 4. Cicheng Rural Development Bureau, Ningbo 315020, China; 5. Development Center of Waxberry of Yuyao, Yuyao 315410, China
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Abstract： [Objectives] Drosophilid flies (Drosophilidae) are the main pest insects on fruits of the Chinese bayberry, Myrica rubra (Myricaceae). Our focus was to determine the relative preferences of Drosophila melanogaster for fruits at different stages of maturity, and the distribution of drosophilid flies on fallen vs unfallen fruits in Chinese bayberry orchards. [Methods] D. melanogaster was reared and its reproductive productivity on fruits at different stages of maturity studied. The number of drosophilid flies on fallen and unfallen fruits was also investigated in Chinese bayberry orchards. [Results] Fruits were initially green, then turned pink, red, and purple-red when totally mature. The productivity of captive reared D. melanogaster differed significantly on fruits at different stages of maturity; that on green fruits was the lowest. When green, pink, red, and purple-red fruits were provided to D. melanogaster significantly more progeny were produced on the more mature fruits. The field investigation in Chinese bayberry orchards showed that drosophilid fly numbers on fallen fruits were significantly higher than on unfallen fruits. However, when unfallen fruits became fully mature drosophilid fly numbers were significantly higher on these than on fallen fruits. [Conclusion] The results indicate that drosophilid flies switch from fallen to unfallen fruits when the majority of the latter become mature. Differences in the suitability of mature and immature fruits to drosophilid flies is probably the primary reason for the shift from fallen to unfallen fruits in Chinese bayberry orchards.