The flight ability of adult Drosophila suzukii and Drosophila melanogaster (Diptera: Drosophilidae)

Author of the article:LIU Sha；GAO Huan-Huan；ZHAI Yi-Fan；CHEN Hao； ZHENG Li；DANG Hai-Yan；LI Qiang；YU Yi

Author's Workplace： Institute of Plant Protection, Shandong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Jinan 250100, China; College of Plant Protection, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming 650201, China; Shandong Academy of Grape, Jinan 250100, China; Taiyuan Customs, Taiyuan 030024, China

Key Words：Drosophila; age; flight distance; flight duration; average flight velocity

Abstract：[Objectives]  To compare the flight ability of Drosophila suzukii and D. melanogaster. 【Methods】  A flight mill system was used to measure the flight ability of 1-7 day-old male and female D. suzukii and D. melanogaster for 22-24h, after which differences in relevant flight parameters were tested for significance. 【Results】  One day-old adults had the shortest flight duration, velocity and distance. There were subsequently two peaks in flight capacity; the first at 2 days of age in D. suzukii and at 3 day of age in D. melanogaster, and the second at 15 days of age when the longest total flight distance was recorded for females of both species. Fifteen day old female and male D. suzukii, and female D. melanogaster, had the longest total flight distance, whereas the longest flight distance, and flight time, recorded for male of D. melanogaster was achieved by 3 day old individuals. 【Conclusion】  The flight ability of D. suzukii and D. melanogaster are related to age and sex and females of both species have stronger flight capacity than males.