Rhagoletis indifferens Curran has been reported to feed on the juice of sweet cherries. However, no study has determined the effects of cherry juices on its survival and fecundity. Females fed ripe cherries only survived 38 days and produced 86 eggs, whereas unfed flies survived only 4 days. Flies fed a dry food(88% sucrose and 12% yeast by weight) throughout life survived >63 days and laid >356 eggs. When the dry food was removed after the first 14 days of life, flies survived 37 days and produced 157 eggs. Results suggest cherries can prolong survival but that a continual source of protein not found in cherries is necessary to ensure maximum longevity and fecundity.
Species 1: Diptera Tephritidae Rhagoletis indifferens (western cherry fruit fly)
Keywords: Fruit Fly, Nutrition
The ESA 2001 Annual Meeting - 2001: An Entomological Odyssey of ESA