The current protocols for holding adult sterile fruit fly males prior to field release for use in biocontrol programs includes feeding a diet of agar containing sugar and sufficient water. Feeding studies conducted under greenhouse conditions showed that adult male Caribbean fruit flies survive 48 hours or less when fed only protein and water, but for at least 20 days when fed sugar and water. However, the amount of pheromone produced and released by males fed only sugar and water is less than 10% of that produced by males fed a diet of protein, sugar and water. Flight tunnel studies showed that females are significantly more attracted to males fed protein, sugar and water than to those fed just sugar and water. Male flies fed sugar and water for 11 days and then changed to a diet that included protein for 12-14 days produced significantly more pheromone than those that remained on sugar and water. Similarly flies that had protein removed from their diet after 11 days showed a significant decrease in pheromone production.
Back to Display Presentations, Section B. Physiology, Biochemistry, Toxicology, and Molecular Biology
Back to Posters
Back to The 2002 ESA Annual Meeting and Exhibition