ORCID Profile
0000-0002-7574-7737
Current Organisation
Macquarie University
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Research Topics
In Research Link Australia (RLA), "Research Topics" refer to ANZSRC FOR and SEO codes. These topics are either sourced from ANZSRC FOR and SEO codes listed in researchers' related grants or generated by a large language model (LLM) based on their publications.
Top 5 Research Topics
ANZSRC Field of Research (FoR)
Sociobiology And Behavioural Ecology | Evolutionary Impacts of Climate Change | Life Histories | Plant Physiology | Ecology | Psychology | Learning, Memory, Cognition And Language | Sensory Processes, Perception And Performance | Horticultural Crop Protection (Pests, Diseases and Weeds) | Evolutionary Biology | Horticultural Production | Animal Systematics and Taxonomy | Biological Adaptation
ANZSRC Socio-Economic Objective (SEO)
Biological sciences | Flora, Fauna and Biodiversity of environments not elsewhere classified | Environmentally Sustainable Plant Production not elsewhere classified | Climate Change Adaptation Measures | Behavioural and cognitive sciences | Health not elsewhere classified |
Related Links
Publications
Comparison of gel larval diet with traditional lucerne chaff and carrot solid diets for rearing of Queensland fruit fly (Diptera: Tephritidae)
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 29-05-2019
DOI: 10.1093/JEE/TOZ140
Abstract: Sterile insect technique (SIT) for Queensland fruit fly, Bactrocera tryoni Froggatt, Australia’s most economically damaging fruit fly species, is currently undergoing a major renewal and expansion. SIT relies on efficient and economical mass-rearing procedures that produce high-quality flies. Two solid larval diets, carrot and lucerne chaff, have traditionally been used to rear Queensland fruit fly. Recently, a gel larval diet has been developed to eliminate biological bulking agents from the mass-rearing process, but to date, there has been no direct comparison of gel larval diet with traditional solid diets. In the present study, the performance of flies reared on gel larval diet was compared with the performance of flies reared on carrot and lucerne chaff diets. In addition, to investigate whether the performance of reared flies depends on ancestral diet as well as tested diet, we sourced eggs from a colony maintained on carrot diet and from a colony maintained on a lucerne chaff diet. Overall, the gel diet was as good or better than the solid diets in all quality control parameters, including, egg–larval duration, pupal number, pupal recovery, adult emergence, percentage of fliers, and rate of fliers. Of note, larvae developed faster and pupated more synchronously on the gel diet than on either of the solid diets. At the loading densities used, gel and carrot diets produced less waste than lucerne chaff diet. Gel diets offer a rearing solution for Queensland fruit fly that eliminates biological bulking agents and yields faster and more synchronous larval development without compromising productivity or quality.
Effects of fatty acids and vitamin E in larval diets on development and performance of Queensland fruit fly
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 08-2020
Functional relations between locomotor performance traits in spiders and implications for evolutionary hypotheses
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 16-11-2010
Deep learning of complex process data for fault classification based on sparse probabilistic dynamic network
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 09-2022
Disruption of duplicated yellow genes in Bactrocera tryoni modifies pigmentation colouration and impacts behaviour
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 24-11-2020
Vapor Pressures and Thermodynamic Properties of Phenylpropanoid and Phenylbutanoid Attractants of Male Bactrocera, Dacus, and Zeugodacus Fruit Flies at Ambient Temperatures
Publisher: American Chemical Society (ACS)
Date: 14-08-2020
High productivity gel diets for rearing of Queensland fruit fly, Bactrocera tryoni
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 17-11-2017
State-dependent decisions in nest site selection by a web-building spider
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 09-2002
Effects of irradiation dose rate on quality and sterility of Queensland fruit flies, Bactrocera tryoni (Froggatt)
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 24-04-2008
Seasonal variation in sexual opportunities of Servaea incana jumping spiders
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 15-05-2017
Post-teneral nutrition as an influence on reproductive development, sexual performance and longevity of Queensland fruit flies
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 06-2013
Post‐teneral protein feeding enhances sexual performance of Queensland fruit flies
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 02-08-2007
Electrophysiological Responses of Bactrocera kraussi (Hardy) (Tephritidae) to Rectal Gland Secretions and Headspace Volatiles Emitted by Conspecific Males and Females
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 19-08-2021
DOI: 10.3390/MOLECULES26165024
Abstract: Pheromones are biologically important in fruit fly mating systems, and also have potential applications as attractants or mating disrupters for pest management. Bactrocera kraussi (Hardy) (Diptera: Tephritidae) is a polyphagous pest fruit fly for which the chemical profile of rectal glands is available for males but not for females. There have been no studies of the volatile emissions of either sex or of electrophysiological responses to these compounds. The present study (i) establishes the chemical profiles of rectal gland contents and volatiles emitted by both sexes of B. kraussi by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) and (ii) evaluates the detection of the identified compounds by gas chromatography–electroantennogram detection (GC–EAD) and –electropalpogram detection (GC–EPD). Sixteen compounds are identified in the rectal glands of male B. kraussi and 29 compounds are identified in the rectal glands of females. Of these compounds, 5 were detected in the headspace of males and 13 were detected in the headspace of females. GC–EPD assays recorded strong signals in both sexes against (E,E)-2,8-dimethyl-1,7-dioxaspiro[5.5]undecane, 2-ethyl-7-mehtyl-1,6-dioxaspiro[4.5]decane isomer 2, (E,Z)/(Z,E)-2,8-dimethyl-1,7-dioxaspiro[5.5]undecane, and (Z,Z)-2,8-dimethyl-1,7-dioxaspiro[5.5]undecane. Male antennae responded to (E,E)-2,8-dimethyl-1,7-dioxaspiro[5.5]undecane, 2-methyl-6-pentyl-3,4-dihydro-2H-pyran, 6-hexyl-2-methyl-3,4-dihydro-2H-pyran, 6-oxononan-1-ol, ethyl dodecanoate, ethyl tetradecanoate and ethyl (Z)-hexadec-9-enoate, whereas female antennae responded to (E,E)-2,8-dimethyl-1,7-dioxaspiro[5.5]undecane and 2-methyl-6-pentyl-3,4-dihydro-2H-pyran only. These compounds are candidates as pheromones mediating sexual interactions in B. kraussi.
Multiple mating and sperm depletion in male Queensland fruit flies: effects on female remating behaviour
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 10-2009
Domestication modifies the volatile emissions produced by male Queensland fruit flies during sexual advertisement
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 07-11-2018
DOI: 10.1038/S41598-018-34569-3
Abstract: Insects commonly undergo substantial changes during adaptation for laboratory or mass-rearing environments (‘domestication’) that may have significant implications for inferences from laboratory studies and utility for biological control. We assessed the effect of domestication on the amount and blend of volatiles released during sexual calling by laboratory-reared Bactrocera tryoni males using colonies from three regions of Australia: Brisbane, Cairns and Sydney. For each region, volatiles released by males from a young colony (five or fewer generations) and an old colony (20+ generations) during sexual calling was compared. Males from old colonies released more volatiles than males from young colonies. All components of the blend were more abundant in one or more of the older colonies, although differences varied by compound and by region. To assess changes over generations, the young and old colonies obtained from Brisbane were s led at 5, 12 and 15 generations (young colony) and 25, 35 and 38 generations (old colony). While the old colony remained unchanged, flies from the young colony released more volatiles at each sequential s ling episode, and became increasingly similar to the old colony. Increased volatile production during domestication may be an adaptive response to crowded rearing conditions in which males need to overcome a chemically noisy environment to be sexually successful.
Multimodal communication and mate choice in wolf spiders: female response to multimodal versus unimodal signals
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 08-2009
BREAKFAST OF CHAMPIONS OR KISS OF DEATH? SURVIVAL AND SEXUAL PERFORMANCE OF PROTEIN-FED, STERILE MEDITERRANEAN FRUIT FLIES (DIPTERA: TEPHRITIDAE)
Publisher: Florida Entomological Society
Date: 03-2007
Extended holding period and yeast hydrolysate in pre-release diet increase abundance of mature sterile Queensland fruit fly males in the field
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 30-05-2021
The effects of morphology and substrate diameter on climbing and locomotor performance in male spiders
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 26-02-2010
Improving post-factory performance of sterile male fruit flies in support of the sterile insect technique
Publisher: CRC Press
Date: 05-01-2021
Foreleg Autotomy Reduces Mating Success of Male Schizocosa ocreata Wolf Spiders
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 18-04-2008
Sources of variability in copula duration of Mediterranean Fruit Flies
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 09-1999
Sexual inhibition of female Queensland fruit flies mated by males treated with raspberry ketone supplements as immature adults
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 09-01-2018
DOI: 10.1111/JEN.12484
Patterns of sperm storage in twice-mated Queensland fruit flies
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 08-2021
Consumptive and non-consumptive effects of wolf spiders on cotton bollworms
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 06-01-2016
DOI: 10.1111/EEA.12390
Combined effects of dietary yeast supplementation and methoprene treatment on sexual maturation of Queensland fruit fly
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 02-2014
DOI: 10.1016/J.JINSPHYS.2014.01.002
Abstract: Yeast hydrolysate supplements promote maturation of many tephritid flies targeted for control using the sterile insect technique (SIT), including Queensland fruit fly (Bactrocera tryoni 'Q-fly'). Recently, application of the juvenile hormone analogue methoprene has been demonstrated to further promote maturation in some species. We here investigate the separate and combined effects of yeast hydrolysate and methoprene treatment on sexual maturation of sterile male and female Q-flies. Two methods of applying methoprene solution were used topical application to adults and dipping of pupae. Consistent with previous studies, access to yeast hydrolysate greatly increased maturation of both male and female Q-flies. Maturation was further promoted by methoprene treatment, with similar effects evident for males and females and for both application methods. For flies provided access to yeast hydrolysate supplements, methoprene treatment advanced maturation by approximately 2days. No effects of diet or methoprene treatment were found on timing of copulation or copula duration. Countering the positive effects on sexual maturation, dipping of pupae in methoprene/acetone solution did diminish emergence rates and flight ability indices, and increased rates of wing deformity. Promising results of the present study encourage further investigation of treatment methods that maximise maturation while minimising detrimental effects on other aspects of fly quality.
Diet and size influence sexual advertisement and copulatory success of males in Mediterranean fruit fly leks
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 08-2000
Evaluation of yeasts in gel larval diet for Queensland fruit fly, Bactrocera tryoni
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 02-06-2018
DOI: 10.1111/JEN.12520
Raspberry Ketone Trifluoroacetate, a New Attractant for the Queensland Fruit Fly, Bactrocera Tryoni (Froggatt)
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 02-2016
DOI: 10.1007/S10886-016-0673-3
Abstract: Queensland fruit fly, Bactrocera tryoni (Q-fly), is a major pest of horticultural crops in eastern Australia. Lures that attract male Q-fly are important for detection of incursions and outbreaks, monitoring of populations, and control by mass trapping and male annihilation. Cuelure, an analog of naturally occurring raspberry ketone, is the standard Q-fly lure, but it has limited efficacy compared with lures that are available for some other fruit flies such as methyl eugenol for B. dorsalis. Melolure is a more recently developed raspberry ketone analog that has shown better attraction than cuelure in some field studies but not in others. A novel fluorinated analog of raspberry ketone, raspberry ketone trifluoroacetate (RKTA), has been developed as a potential improvement on cuelure and melolure. RKTA placed on laboratory cages containing 2-week-old Q-flies elicited strong behavioral responses from males. Quantification of Q-fly responses in these cages, using digital images to estimate numbers of flies aggregated near different lures, showed RKTA attracted and arrested significantly more flies than did cuelure or melolure. RKTA shows good potential as a new lure for improved surveillance and control of Q-fly.
Responses of an araneophagic assassin bug, Stenolemus bituberus, to spider draglines
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 13-05-2009
The mismeasure of animal contests
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 06-2003
Sampling technique biases in the analysis of fruit fly volatiles: a case study of Queensland fruit fly
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 13-11-2020
DOI: 10.1038/S41598-020-76622-0
Abstract: Diverse methods have been used to s le insect semiochemicals. S ling methods can differ in efficiency and affinity and this can introduce significant biases when interpreting biological patterns. We compare common methods used to s le tephritid fruit fly rectal gland volatiles (‘pheromones’), focusing on Queensland fruit fly, Bactrocera tryoni . Solvents of different polarity, n -hexane, dichloromethane and ethanol, were compared using intact and crushed glands. Polydimethylsiloxane, polydimethylsiloxane/ inylbenzene and polyacrylate were compared as adsorbents for solid phase microextraction. Tenax-GR and Porapak Q were compared as adsorbents for dynamic headspace s ling. Along with compounds previously reported for B. tryoni , we detected five previously unreported compounds in males, and three in females. Dichloromethane extracted more amides while there was no significant difference between the three solvents in extraction of spiroacetals except for ( E , E )-2,8-dimethyl-1,7-dioxaspiro[5.5]undecane for which n -hexane extracted higher amount than both dichloromethane and ethanol. Ethanol failed to contain many of the more volatile compounds. Crushed rectal gland s les provided higher concentrations of extracted compounds than intact rectal gland s les, but no compounds were missed in intact s les. Of solid phase microextraction fibers, polyacrylate had low affinity for spiroacetals, ethyl isobutyrate and ethyl-2-methylbutanoate. Polydimethylsiloxane was more efficient for spiroacetals while type of fiber did not affect the amounts of amides and esters. In dynamic headspace s ling, Porapak was more efficient for ethyl isobutyrate and spiroacetals, while Tenax was more efficient for other esters and amides, and s ling time was a critical factor. Biases that can be introduced by s ling methods are important considerations when collecting and interpreting insect semiochemical profiles.
Dynamics of the Queensland Fruit Fly Microbiome through the Transition from Nature to an Established Laboratory Colony
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 26-01-2022
DOI: 10.3390/MICROORGANISMS10020291
Abstract: The transition from nature to laboratory or mass rearing can impose significant physiological and evolutionary impact on insects. The Queensland fruit fly (also known as ‘Qfly’), Bactrocera tryoni (Froggatt) (Diptera: Tephritidae), is a serious economic pest that presents major challenges for horticulture industries in Australia. The sterile insect technique (SIT) is being developed to manage outbreaks in regions that remain free of Qfly and to suppress populations in regions where this species is endemic. The biology of Qfly is intimately connected to its microbiome. Therefore, changes in the microbiome that occur through domestication have implications for SIT. There are numerous studies of the microbiome in Qfly larvae and adults, but there is little information on how the microbiome changes as Qfly laboratory colonies are established. In this study, high-throughput Illumina sequencing was used to assess the Qfly microbiome in colonies reared from wild larvae, collected from fruit, for five generations, on a gel-based larval diet. Beta ersity analysis showed that the bacterial communities from Generation 5 (G5) clustered separately from earlier generations. At the genus level, bacterial communities were significantly different between the generations and mostly altered at G5. However, communities were found similar at phyla to family taxonomic levels. We observed high abundance of Morganella and Burkholderia at the genus level in the larval and pupal stages respectively at G5, but these were not detected in earlier generations. Overall, our findings demonstrate that the domestication process strongly affects the Qfly microbiome and prompts questions about the functional relationship between the Qfly and its microbiome, as well as implications for the performance of insects that have been domesticated and mass-reared for SIT programs.
Fruit host-dependent fungal communities in the microbiome of wild Queensland fruit fly larvae
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 06-10-2020
DOI: 10.1038/S41598-020-73649-1
Abstract: Bactrocera tryoni (Froggatt), the Queensland fruit fly (Qfly), is a highly polyphagous tephritid fly that is widespread in Eastern Australia. Qfly physiology is closely linked with its fungal associates, with particular relationship between Qfly nutrition and yeast or yeast-like fungi. Despite animal-associated fungi typically occurring in multi-species communities, Qfly studies have predominately involved the culture and characterisation of single fungal isolates. Further, only two studies have investigated the fungal communities associated with Qfly, and both have used culture-dependant techniques that overlook non-culturable fungi and hence under-represent, and provide a biased interpretation of, the overall fungal community. In order to explore a potentially hidden fungal ersity and complexity within the Qfly mycobiome, we used culture-independent, high-throughput Illumina sequencing techniques to comprehensively, and holistically characterized the fungal community of Qfly larvae and overcome the culture bias. We collected larvae from a range of fruit hosts along the east coast of Australia, and all had a mycobiome dominated by ascomycetes. The most abundant fungal taxa belonged to the genera Pichia (43%), Candida (20%), Hanseniaspora (10%), Zygosaccharomyces (11%) and Penicillium (7%). We also characterized the fungal communities of fruit hosts, and found a strong degree of overlap between larvae and fruit host communities, suggesting that these communities are intimately inter-connected. Our data suggests that larval fungal communities are acquired from surrounding fruit flesh. It is likely that the physiological benefits of Qfly exposure to fungal communities is primarily due to consumption of these fungi, not through syntrophy/symbiosis between fungi and insect ‘host’.
Evaluating Irradiation Dose for Sterility Induction and Quality Control of Mass-Produced Fruit Fly Bactrocera tryoni (Diptera: Tephritidae)
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 06-2014
DOI: 10.1603/EC13421
Abstract: The sterile insect technique has been routinely used to eradicate fruit fly Bactrocera tryoni (Froggatt) incursions. This study considers whether fly quality in a mass-rearing facility can be improved by reducing irradiation doses, without sacrificing reproductive sterility. Pupae were exposed to one of five target irradiation dose ranges: 0, 40-45, 50-55, 60-65, and 70-75 Gy. Pupae were then assessed using routine quality control measures: flight ability, sex ratio, longevity under nutritional stress, emergence, and reproductive sterility. Irradiation did not have a significant effect on flight ability or sex ratio tests. Longevity under nutritional stress was significantly increased at 70-75 Gy, but no other doses differed from 0 Gy. Emergence was slightly reduced in the 50-55, 60-65, and 70-75 Gy treatments, but 40-45 Gy treatments did not differ from 0 Gy, though confounding temporal factors complicate interpretation. Reproductive sterility remained acceptable (> 99.5%) for all doses--40-45 Gy (99.78%), 50-55 Gy (100%), 60-65 Gy (100%), and 70-75 Gy (99.99%). We recommend that B. tryoni used in sterile insect technique releases be irradiated at a target dose of 50-55 Gy, providing improved quality and undiminished sterility in comparison with the current 70-75 Gy standard while also providing a substantial buffer against risk of under dosing.
Diversity and sex differences in rectal gland volatiles of Queensland fruit fly, Bactrocera tryoni (Diptera: Tephritidae)
Publisher: Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Date: 24-08-2022
DOI: 10.1371/JOURNAL.PONE.0273210
Abstract: Rectal gland volatiles are key mediators of sexual interactions in tephritid fruit flies. We used solid-phase microextraction (SPME) plus gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and gas chromatography-flame ionization detection (GC-FID) to substantially expand rectal gland chemical characterisation of the Queensland fruit fly ( Bactrocera tryoni (Diptera: Tephritidae) Qfly). The SPME GC-MS analysis identified 24 of the 30 compounds previously recorded from Qfly rectal glands, plus another 21 compounds that had not previously been reported. A few amides and fatty acid esters dominated the chromatograms of males and females respectively, but we also found other esters, alcohols and aldehydes and a ketone. The GC-FID analyses also revealed over 150 others, as yet unidentified, volatiles, generally in lesser amounts. The GC-FID analyses also showed 49 and 12 compounds were male- and female-specific, respectively, both in single sex (virgin) and mixed sex (mostly mated) groups. Another ten compounds were male-specific among virgins but undetected in mixed sex groups, and 29 were undetected in virgins but male-specific in mixed sex groups. The corresponding figures for females were four and zero, respectively. Most short retention time peaks (including a ketone and an ester) were male-specific, whereas most female-biased peaks (including five fatty acid esters) had long retention times. Our results indicate previously unsuspected ersity of rectal gland volatiles that might have pheromone functions in males, but far fewer in females.
Next-Generation Sequencing reveals relationship between the larval microbiome and food substrate in the polyphagous Queensland fruit fly
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 10-2019
DOI: 10.1038/S41598-019-50602-5
Abstract: Insects typically host substantial microbial communities (the ‘microbiome’) that can serve as a vital source of nutrients and also acts as a modulator of immune function. While recent studies have shown that diet is an important influence on the gut microbiome, very little is known about the dynamics underpinning microbial acquisition from natural food sources. Here, we addressed this gap by comparing the microbiome of larvae of the polyphagous fruit fly Bactrocera tryoni (‘Queensland fruit fly’) that were collected from five different fruit types (sapodilla [from two different localities], hog plum, pomegranate, green apple, and quince) from North-east to South-east Australia. Using Next-Generation Sequencing on the Illumina MiSeq platform, we addressed two questions: (1) what bacterial communities are available to B. tryoni larvae from different host fruit and (2) how does the microbiome vary between B. tryoni larvae and its host fruit? The abundant bacterial taxa were similar for B. tryoni larvae from different fruit despite significant differences in the overall microbial community compositions. Our study suggests that the bacterial community structure of B. tryoni larvae is related less to the host fruit (diet) microbiome and more to vertical transfer of the microbiome during egg laying. Our findings also suggest that geographic location may play a quite limited role in structuring of larval microbiomes. This is the first study to use Next-Generation Sequencing to analyze the microbiome of B. tryoni larvae together with the host fruit, an approach that has enabled greatly increased resolution of relationships between the insect’s microbiome and that of the surrounding host tissues.
Spatio‐temporal distribution of sexual calling behaviour in domesticated, sterile and wild Queensland fruit fly males under field cage conditions
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 02-02-2021
DOI: 10.1002/PS.6284
A role for copula duration in fertility of Queensland fruit fly females mated by irradiated and unirradiated males
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 11-2012
DOI: 10.1016/J.JINSPHYS.2012.08.004
Abstract: Females of many tephritid fruit flies can mate more than once, and can store ejaculates from multiple males. As well as being an important element of reproductive biology, multiple mating by females is of particular relevance for sterile insect technique programs used to control major tephritid pests. Here we investigate the consequences of multiple mating on fertility of Queensland fruit fly (Bactrocera tryoni) females sequentially mated to irradiated ('sterile') and unirradiated ('normal') males. Females mated by two normal males showed persistent high fertility whereas females mated by two sterile males showed persistent low fertility. Despite lack of association between copula duration and sperm number, fertility of females mated to a normal and then a sterile male increased with duration of the first copulation and decreased with duration of the second. Fertility of females mated to a sterile male and then a normal male was not influenced by duration of the first copulation but increased with duration of the second. These findings reveal a need for increased attention to how factors other than sperm number influence post-copulatory sexual selection in tephritid flies, and in particular how copula duration is linked to sperm storage and usage.
Sex differences in developmental response to yeast hydrolysate supplements in adult Queensland fruit fly
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 04-10-2011
Does prey encounter and nutrient content affect prey selection in Wolf spiders inhabiting Bt cotton fields?
Publisher: Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Date: 10-01-2019
Interactions between ecological factors in the developmental environment modulate pupal and adult traits in a polyphagous fly
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 26-04-2019
DOI: 10.1002/ECE3.5206
Hydrolysis of Queensland Fruit Fly, Bactrocera tryoni (Froggatt), Attractants: Kinetics and Implications for Biological Activity
Publisher: CSIRO Publishing
Date: 2016
DOI: 10.1071/CH16073
Abstract: Queensland fruit fly (Q-fly), Bactrocera tryoni (Froggatt), is a major insect pest of horticultural crops in Australia. Cuelure is the most commonly used attractant for monitoring as well as for management of Q-fly populations through the male annihilation technique and mass trapping. There has been some concern that cuelure is susceptible to hydrolysis, which would limit its usefulness under conditions of high humidity and give rise to inconsistent fly population monitoring. To give some insight into the hydrolysis of cuelure and two closely related compounds, melolure and a newly developed lure, 4-(4-(2,2,2-trifluoroacetoxy)phenyl)-2-butanone (RKTA), the kinetics of hydrolysis of these compounds were quantitatively investigated by gas chromatography–flame ionization detection. From the experimental data, we found the hydrolysis half-lives of cuelure, melolure, and RKTA, at a water concentration of 25 mol L–1, to be ~20 days, 22 h, and 1.2 min respectively. When extrapolated to a water concentration of 1.3 mmol L–1, corresponding to atmospheric conditions of 100 % relative humidity at 25°C, the half-lives are ~1660, ~51, and ~1.4 years respectively.
Different sexual traits show covariation among genotypes: implications for sexual selection
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 06-12-2007
Effects of domestication on quality control parameters of the Queensland fruit fly Bactrocera tryoni (Diptera: Tephritidae)
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 25-03-2022
DOI: 10.1111/JEN.12998
Abstract: The Queensland fruit fly (Q‐fly), Bactrocera tryoni (Froggatt), is a major horticultural pest in Australia. Sterile insect technique (SIT) is increasingly used in area‐wide integrated management of Q‐fly, as well as for eradication of outbreaks in Q‐fly‐free regions. Quality control (QC) procedures are important to monitor and maintain high standards of mass‐reared insects for SIT. Effective use of QC procedures, and the setting of meaningful standards, requires a clear understanding of the short‐term factors that can cause changes in key parameters, such as failures in production systems, and also of the longer‐term effects of domestication on the performance of mass‐reared colonies. Artificial rearing conditions impose substantial selection pressures that can lead to changes in performance, and hence changes in the expected baseline values in QC assays. We investigated the effects of domestication on QC parameters of old and young Q‐fly colonies originating from three distant geographical locations in Australia: Sydney (Generation and 7), Brisbane (Generation 59 and 14) and Cairns (Generation 29 and 9). Standard QC parameters including development time, pupal recovery, pupal weight, adult emergence, sex ratio, flight ability, fecundity, egg hatchability and longevity were assessed. Regardless of their origin, older Q‐fly colonies had lower egg hatchability, shorter developmental time, higher fecundity, higher survival under stress and greater longevity. We emphasize the importance of understanding the effects of continued domestication on QC measures when setting standards for assessment of fruit fly strains used in SIT programmes, particularly when using strains that are regularly replaced or infused with wild stock.
Exploitation of environmental noise by an araneophagic assassin bug
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 11-2011
Methoprene-induced matings of young Queensland fruit fly males are effective at inducing sexual inhibition in females
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 05-04-2020
DOI: 10.1111/JEN.12753
Population differences and domestication effects on mating and remating frequencies in Queensland fruit fly
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 07-01-2022
DOI: 10.1038/S41598-021-04198-4
Abstract: Females of many insect species are unreceptive to remating for a period following their first mating. This inhibitory effect may be mediated by either the female or her first mate, or both, and often reflects the complex interplay of reproductive strategies between the sexes. Natural variation in remating inhibition and how this phenotype responds to captive breeding are largely unexplored in insects, including many pest species. We investigated genetic variation in remating propensity in the Queensland fruit fly, Bactrocera tryoni , using strains differing in source locality and degree of domestication. We found up to threefold inherited variation between strains from different localities in the level of intra-strain remating inhibition. The level of inhibition also declined significantly during domestication, which implied the existence of genetic variation for this trait within the starting populations as well. Inter-strain mating and remating trials showed that the strain differences were mainly due to the genotypes of the female and, to a lesser extent, the second male, with little effect of the initial male genotype. Implications for our understanding of fruit fly reproductive biology and population genetics and the design of Sterile Insect Technique pest management programs are discussed.
Multi-locus genotyping of stored sperm reveals female remating rates in wild populations of the Queensland fruit fly
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 2022
Electrophysiological Responses to Cuelure of Raspberry Ketone-Fed Queensland Fruit Flies
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 28-10-2020
DOI: 10.1093/JEE/TOAA242
Abstract: The sterile insect technique (SIT) and male annihilation technique (MAT) are important tools for the control of Queensland fruit fly (Q-fly), Bactrocera tryoni (Froggatt) (Diptera: Tephritidae), a major insect pest of horticultural crops in Australia. In MAT, mature Q-fly males are attracted to a toxic bait using Cuelure, a synthetic analog of raspberry ketone (RK). Substantial improvements in control could be achieved by simultaneous use of SIT and MAT, but this requires suppression of the Cuelure response in released sterile flies. Recent studies report that prerelease feeding with RK during the first 48 h after emergence can reduce the response of mature Q-fly males to Cuelure, but the mechanism underpinning this is unknown. Here, to test whether reduced sensory sensitivity to Cuelure is involved, we evaluated the effects of RK supplements, adult diet (yeast-supplemented diet throughout adult stage vs yeast-supplemented diet only for 48 h), and age on electroantennogram (EAG) and electropalpogram (EPG) responses of Q-flies to Cuelure stimuli. EAG responses did not vary with RK supplements, sex, or age of Q-flies fed yeast-supplemented diet throughout the adult stage, but the responses of Q-flies fed other diet regime decreased with age. EPG responses of both sexes of Q-flies were affected by RK supplements, age, and their interaction, but without patterns that might indicate reduced maxillary palp response of RK supplemented flies to Cuelure. Our findings do not support the hypothesis that reduced Cuelure response of male Q-flies fed RK supplements is explained by reduced electrophysiological response in antennae or maxillary palps.
Protein: carbohydrate ratios promoting sexual activity and longevity of male Queensland fruit flies
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 09-07-2008
Chemical Composition of the Rectal Gland and Volatiles Released by Female Queensland Fruit Fly, Bactrocera tryoni (Diptera: Tephritidae)
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 30-05-2019
DOI: 10.1093/EE/NVZ061
Abstract: The composition of the rectal gland secretion and volatiles emitted by female Queensland fruit fly, Bactrocera tryoni was investigated. Esters were found to be the main compounds in the gland extracts and headspace, while amides were the minor compounds in the gland extracts and headspace. Ethyl dodecanoate, ethyl tetradecanoate, ethyl (Z9)-hexadecenoate and ethyl palmitate were the main esters in the gland extracts, while ethyl dodecanoate and ethyl tetradecanoate were the main esters in the headspace. Four amides (N-(3-methylbutyl)acetamide), N-(2-methylbutyl)propanamide, N-(3-methylbutyl)propanamide, and N-(3-methylbutyl)-2-methylpropanamide were found in the gland extracts and the headspace. Among the amides, N-(3-methylbutyl)acetamide and N-(3-methylbutyl)propanamide were the main amides in the gland extracts and the headspace. Traces of three spiroacetals were found both in the gland extracts and in the headspace. (E,E)-2,8-Dimethyl-1,7-dioxaspiro[5.5]undecane, (E,E)-2-ethyl-8-methyl-1,7-dioxaspiro[5.5]undecane, (E,E)-2-propyl-8-methyl-1,7-dioxaspiro[5.5]undecane. All compounds found in the headspace were present in the extract of the rectal gland suggesting that the rectal gland is the main source of the headspace volatiles, whose function remains to be elucidated. This is the first comprehensive chemical analysis of the rectal gland secretions and volatiles of female B. tryoni, and further laboratory and field bioassays are required to determine the function of compounds identified in this study. Discovery of the same amides previously identified in the male rectal gland in the female rectal gland raises questions about the pheromonal role previously suggested for these compounds.
Suppression of cuelure attraction in male Queensland fruit flies provided raspberry ketone supplements as immature adults
Publisher: Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Date: 31-08-2017
Age-related activity patterns are moderated by diet in Queensland fruit flies Bactrocera tryoni
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 29-05-2013
DOI: 10.1111/PHEN.12023
Domestication‐related changes in sexual performance of Queensland fruit fly
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 05-10-2020
Abstract: In Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) programs, massive numbers of insects are reared, sterilized, and released in the field to impede reproduction of pest populations. The domestication and rearing processes used to produce insects for SIT programs may have significant evolutionary impacts on life history and reproductive biology. We assessed the effects of domestication on sexual performance of laboratory reared Queensland fruit fly, Bactrocera tryoni , by comparing an old (49 generations) and a young colony (5 generations). We evaluated mating propensity, mating latency, copula duration, sperm transfer, and ability to induce sexual inhibition in mates. Overall, both males and females from the old colony had greater mating propensity than those from the young colony. Copula duration was longer when females were from the old colony. There was no evidence of sexual isolation between the colonies as males and females from the two colonies had similar propensity to mate with flies from either colony. Males from the old colony transferred more sperm regardless of which colony their mate was from. Finally, males from both colonies were similarly able to induce sexual inhibition in their mates and were also similarly able to secure copulations with already‐mated females. Positive effects of domestication on sperm transfer, coupled with maintained ability to induce sexual inhibition in mates and to secure copulations with previously mated females, highlights that domestication may have little effect, or even positive effects, on some aspects of sexual performance that may advantage mass‐reared B. tryoni in SIT programs.
Floral constituents of the Australian tar tree,
Publisher: CSIRO Publishing
Date: 23-11-2022
DOI: 10.1071/CH22097
Abstract: Floral constituents of the Australian tar tree, Semecarpus australiensis, distributed in Melanesia and Northern Australia, were extracted with solvent, and analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The main constituents were 16- and 18-carbon fatty acids and their ethyl esters. Amongst the 67 identified compounds, zingerone was detected in minute quantity, providing the chemical basis for previous observations of fruit fly attraction to the flowers. The present study is the first to report the chemical profile of tar tree flowers.
Desiccation resistance of wild and mass-reared Bactrocera tryoni (Diptera: Tephritidae)
Publisher: Cambridge University Press (CUP)
Date: 18-07-2013
DOI: 10.1017/S0007485313000394
Abstract: In pest management programmes that incorporate the sterile insect technique (SIT), the ability of mass-reared insects to tolerate dry conditions may influence their survival after release in the field. In the present study, desiccation resistance of adult mass-reared Queensland fruit flies, Bactrocera tryoni (Frogatt) (Diptera: Tephritidae), that are routinely released in SIT programmes was compared with that of wild flies at 1, 10 and 20 days after adult eclosion. Under dry conditions without access to food or water, longevity of mass-reared B. tryoni was significantly less than that of their wild counterparts. Desiccation resistance of mass-reared flies declined monotonically with age, but this was not the case for wild flies. The sharp decline in desiccation resistance of mass-reared flies as they aged was likely explained by decreased dehydration tolerance. As in an earlier study, desiccation resistance of females was significantly lower than that of males but this was particularly pronounced in mass-reared females. Female susceptibility to dry conditions corresponded with declining dehydration tolerance with age and associated patterns of reproductive development, which suggests that water content of their oocyte load is not available for survival during periods of water stress.
Suppression of cuelure attraction in male Queensland fruit flies provided raspberry ketone supplements as immature adults
Publisher: Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Date: 09-01-2017
Additive and interactive effects of nutrient classes on longevity, reproduction, and diet consumption in the Queensland fruit fly (Bactrocera tryoni)
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 03-2012
DOI: 10.1016/J.JINSPHYS.2011.11.002
Abstract: Insect lifespan is often closely linked to diet, and diet manipulations have been central to studies of ageing. Recent research has found that lifespan for some flies is maximised on a very low yeast diet, but once all yeast is removed, lifespan drops precipitously. Although effects of yeast availability on lifespan are commonly interpreted in terms of protein, yeast is a complex mix of nutrients and provides a rich source of vitamins, minerals and sterols. Elucidating which components of yeast are involved in this lifespan drop provides insights into more specific nutritional requirements and also provides a test for the commonplace interpretation of yeast in terms of protein. To this end, we fed Queensland fruit flies (Bactrocera tryoni) one of eight experimental diets that differed in the nutrient group(s) found in yeast that were added to sucrose: none, vitamins, minerals, amino acids, cholesterol, vitamin+mineral+cholesterol (VMC), vitamin+mineral+cholesterol+amino acids (VMCA), and yeast. We measured survival rates and egg production in single sex and mixed sex cages, as well as nutrient intake of in idual flies. We found that the addition of minerals increased lifespan of both male and female flies housed in single sex cages by decreasing baseline mortality. The addition of just amino acids decreased lifespan in female flies however, when combined with other nutrient groups found in yeast, amino acids increased lifespan by decreasing both baseline mortality and age-specific mortality. Flies on the yeast and VMCA diets were the only ones to show significant egg production. We conclude that the drop in lifespan observed when all yeast is removed is explained by missing micronutrients (vitamins, minerals and cholesterol) as well as the absence of protein in females, whereas minerals alone can explain the pattern for males. These results indicate a need for caution when interpreting effects of dietary yeast as effects of protein.
Effects of wheat germ oil concentration in gel larval diets on production and quality of Queensland fruit fly, Bactrocera tryoni (Diptera: Tephritidae)
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 06-08-2018
DOI: 10.1093/JEE/TOY225
Abstract: Queensland fruit fly ('Q-fly'), Bactrocera tryoni (Froggatt) (Diptera: Tephritidae), is the most destructive insect pest of horticultural crops in Australia. The sterile insect technique (SIT) has attracted significant interest for sustainable management of Q-fly through the mass rearing and release of sterile flies. Cost-effective diets are required to rear Q-flies for SIT. Wheat germ oil (WGO) is the main source of fatty acids and vitamins in gel larval diets that are used to rear Q-fly but is an expensive ingredient. With the aim of reducing WGO cost in gel larval diet, we assessed performance of Q-flies reared on diets that varied in WGO content. Q-fly larvae were reared on two diets that differed mainly in yeast composition ('gel diet 2006' and 'gel diet 2009') and contained 0, 0.03, 0.07, 0.11, 0.15, or 1% WGO to identify reduced concentrations of WGO (and hence cost) without compromising productivity or quality. Diets containing WGO outperformed diets without WGO in development rate, pupal number, adult emergence, percentage of fliers, rate of fliers, and fecundity. Concentrations of 0.11% and above provided full benefit in gel diet 2006 (original formulation 0.15%), and concentrations of 0.15% (original formulation 1.0%) and above provided full benefit in gel diet 2009, and for both diets, a concentration-dependent decline in fly performance resulted from lower doses. Savings can be made in gel diets for mass rearing of Q-fly without compromising productivity by reducing WGO concentration.
Sperm storage and utilization in female Queensland fruit flies (Bactrocera tryoni)
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 30-01-2007
Flight ability procedures for mass-reared Queensland fruit flies, Bactrocera tryoni: an assessment of some variations
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 04-08-2010
Sexual development of wild and mass-reared male Queensland fruit flies in response to natural food sources
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 03-03-2011
Compensation for injury? Modified multi-modal courtship of wolf spiders following autotomy of signalling appendages
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 04-2006
Remating inhibition in female Queensland fruit flies: Effects and correlates of sperm storage
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 02-2006
DOI: 10.1016/J.JINSPHYS.2005.10.003
Abstract: Reproductive success of male insects commonly hinges both on their ability to secure copulations with many mates and also on their ability to inseminate and inhibit subsequent sexual receptivity of their mates to rival males. We here present the first investigation of sperm storage in Queensland fruit flies (Tephritidae: Bactrocera tryoni a.k.a. 'Q-flies') and address the question of whether remating inhibition in females is directly influenced by or correlated with number of sperm stored from their first mates. We used irradiation to disrupt spermatogenesis and thereby experimentally reduce the number of sperm stored by some male's mates while leaving other aspects of male sexual performance (mating probability, latency until copulating, copula duration) unaffected. Females that mated with irradiated rather than normal males were less likely to store any sperm at all (50% vs. 89%) and, if some sperm were stored, the number was greatly reduced (median 11 vs. 120). Despite the considerable differences in sperm storage, females mated by normal males and irradiated males were similarly likely to remate at the next opportunity, indicating (1) number of sperm stored does not directly drive female remating inhibition and (2) factors actually responsible for remating inhibition are similarly expressed in normal and irradiated males. While overall levels of remating were similar for mates of normal and irradiated males, factors responsible for female remating inhibition were positively associated with presence and number of sperm stored by mates of normal but not irradiated males. We suggest seminal fluids as the most likely factor responsible for remating inhibition in female Q-flies, as these are likely to be transported in proportion to number of sperm in normal males, be uninfluenced by irradiation, and be transported without systematic relation to sperm number in irradiated males.
Whole-organism performance in a jumping spider, Servaea incana (Araneae: Salticidae): Links with morphology and between performance traits
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 24-09-2013
DOI: 10.1111/BIJ.12155
Mating in the absence of visual cues by Schizocosa ocreata (Hentz 1844) wolf spiders (Araneae, Lycosidae)
Publisher: American Arachnological Society
Date: 12-2006
DOI: 10.1636/S04-98.1
Copula duration and sperm storage in Mediterranean fruit flies from a wild population
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 03-2000
Tracing the origins of recent Queensland fruit fly incursions into South Australia, Tasmania and New Zealand
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 02-01-2021
Genetic variation for rectal gland volatiles among recently collected isofemale lines and a domesticated strain of Queensland fruit fly, Bactrocera tryoni (Diptera: Tephritidae)
Publisher: Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Date: 28-04-2023
DOI: 10.1371/JOURNAL.PONE.0285099
Abstract: Divergence between populations in mating behaviour can function as a potent premating isolating mechanism and promote speciation. However, very few cases of inherited intraspecific variation in sexual signalling have been reported in tephritid fruit flies, despite them being a highly speciose family. We tested for such variation in one tephritid, the Queensland fruit fly, Bactrocera tryoni (Qfly). Qfly mating behaviour depends on volatiles secreted from male rectal glands but no role for the volatiles from female rectal glands has yet been reported. We previously detected over 100 volatile compounds in male rectal glands and identified over 30 of them. Similar numbers were recorded in females. However, many compounds showed presence/absence differences between the sexes and many others showed quantitative differences between them. Here we report inherited variation among 24 Qfly lines (23 isofemale lines established from recent field collections and one domesticated line) in the abundance of three esters, two alcohols, two amides, an aldehyde and 18 unidentified volatiles in male rectal glands. We did not find any compounds in female rectal glands that varied significantly among the lines, although this may at least partly reflect lower female s le numbers. Most of the 26 male compounds that differed between lines were more abundant in the domesticated line than any of the recently established isofemale lines, which concurs with other evidence for changes in mating behaviour during domestication of this species. There were also large differences in several of the 26 compounds among the isofemale lines, and some of these differences were associated with the regions from which the lines were collected. While some of the variation in different compounds was correlated across lines, much of it was not, implicating involvement of multiple genes. Our findings parallel reports of geographic variation in other Qfly traits and point to inherited differences in reproductive physiology that could provide a basis for evolution of premating isolation between ecotypes.
Self-assessment by males during energetically costly contests over precopula females in amphipods
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 10-2006
Sex differences in insect immune function: a consequence of diet choice?
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 13-03-2013
Interacting effects of size and prior injury in jumping spider conflicts
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 04-2003
Video playback experiments support a role for visual assessment of opponent size in male-male contests of Servaea incana jumping spiders
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 20-04-2016
Attraction and Electrophysiological Response to Identified Rectal Gland Volatiles in Bactrocera frauenfeldi (Schiner)
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 11-03-2020
DOI: 10.3390/MOLECULES25061275
Abstract: Bactrocera frauenfeldi (Schiner) (Diptera: Tephritidae) is a polyphagous fruit fly pest species that is endemic to Papua New Guinea and has become established in several Pacific Islands and Australia. Despite its economic importance for many crops and the key role of chemical-mediated sexual communication in the reproductive biology of tephritid fruit flies, as well as the potential application of pheromones as attractants, there have been no studies investigating the identity or activity of rectal gland secretions or emission profiles of this species. The present study (1) identifies the chemical profile of volatile compounds produced in rectal glands and released by B. frauenfeldi, (2) investigates which of the volatile compounds elicit an electroantennographic or electropalpographic response, and (3) investigates the potential function of glandular emissions as mate-attracting sex pheromones. Rectal gland extracts and headspace collections from sexually mature males and females of B. frauenfeldi were analysed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Male rectal glands contained (E,E)-2-ethyl-8-methyl-1,7-dioxaspiro [5.5]undecane as a major component and (E,E)-2,8-dimethyl-1,7-dioxaspiro[5.5]undecane as a moderate component. Minor components included palmitoleic acid, palmitic acid, and ethyl oleate. In contrast, female rectal glands contained (E,E)-2,8-dimethyl-1,7-dioxaspiro[5.5]undecane and ethyl laurate as major components, ethyl myristate and ethyl palmitoleate as moderate components, and 18 minor compounds including amides, esters, and spiroacetals. Although fewer compounds were detected from the headspace collections of both males and females than from the gland extractions, most of the abundant chemicals in the rectal gland extracts were also detected in the headspace collections. Gas chromatography coupled electroantennographic detection found responses to (E,E)-2,8-dimethyl-1,7-dioxaspiro[5.5]undecane from the antennae of both male and female B. frauenfeldi. Responses to (E,E)-2-ethyl-8-methyl-1,7-dioxaspiro[5.5]undecane were elicited from the antennae of females but not males. The two spiroacetals also elicited electropalpographic responses from both male and female B. frauenfeldi. Ethyl caprate and methyl laurate, found in female rectal glands, elicited responses in female antennae and palps, respectively. Y-maze bioassays showed that females were attracted to the volatiles from male rectal glands but males were not. Neither males nor females were attracted to the volatiles from female rectal glands. Our findings suggest (E,E)-2,8-dimethyl-1,7-dioxaspiro[5.5]undecane and (E,E)-2-ethyl-8-methyl-1,7-dioxaspiro[5.5]undecane as components of a sex-attracting pheromone in B. frauenfeldi.
Predatory behaviour of an araneophagic assassin bug
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 15-01-2010
Zingerone in the Flower of Passiflora maliformis Attracts an Australian Fruit Fly, Bactrocera jarvisi (Tryon)
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 22-06-2020
DOI: 10.3390/MOLECULES25122877
Abstract: Passiflora maliformis is an introduced plant in Australia but its flowers are known to attract the native Jarvis’s fruit fly, Bactrocera jarvisi (Tryon). The present study identifies and quantifies likely attractant(s) of male B. jarvisi in P. maliformis flowers. The chemical compositions of the inner and outer coronal filaments, anther, stigma, ovary, sepal, and petal of P. maliformis were separately extracted with ethanol and analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Polyisoprenoid lipid precursors, fatty acids and their derivatives, and phenylpropanoids were detected in P. maliformis flowers. Phenylpropanoids included raspberry ketone, cuelure, zingerone, and zingerol, although compositions varied markedly amongst the flower parts. P. maliformis flowers were open for less than one day, and the amounts of some of the compounds decreased throughout the day. The attraction of male B. jarvisi to P. maliformis flowers is most readily explained by the presence of zingerone in these flowers.
Cuticular Chemistry of the Queensland Fruit Fly Bactrocera tryoni (Froggatt)
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 12-09-2020
DOI: 10.3390/MOLECULES25184185
Abstract: The cuticular layer of the insect exoskeleton contains erse compounds that serve important biological functions, including the maintenance of homeostasis by protecting against water loss, protection from injury, pathogens and insecticides, and communication. Bactrocera tryoni (Froggatt) is the most destructive pest of fruit production in Australia, yet there are no published accounts of this species’ cuticular chemistry. We here provide a comprehensive description of B. tryoni cuticular chemistry. We used gas chromatography-mass spectrometry to identify and characterize compounds in hexane extracts of B. tryoni adults reared from larvae in naturally infested fruits. The compounds found included spiroacetals, aliphatic amides, saturated/unsaturated and methyl branched C12 to C20 chain esters and C29 to C33 normal and methyl-branched alkanes. The spiroacetals and esters were found to be specific to mature females, while the amides were found in both sexes. Normal and methyl-branched alkanes were qualitatively the same in all age and sex groups but some of the alkanes differed in amounts (as estimated from internal standard-normalized peak areas) between mature males and females, as well as between mature and immature flies. This study provides essential foundations for studies investigating the functions of cuticular chemistry in this economically important species.
Ploys and counterploys of assassin bugs and their dangerous spider prey
Publisher: Brill
Date: 2013
Yeast hydrolysate supplement increases starvation vulnerability of Queensland fruit fly
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 12-11-2013
DOI: 10.1111/PHEN.12039
Integrating immunomarking with ecological and behavioural approaches to assess predation of Helicoverpa spp. larvae by wolf spiders in cotton
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 07-2018
Initiation and resolution of jumping spider contests: roles for size, proximity, and early detection of rivals
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 10-2001
Transfer and fate of male ejaculate in female Queensland fruit flies
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 19-11-2008
Consequences of complex signaling: predator detection of multimodal cues
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 21-11-2007
Mating-induced sexual inhibition in the jumping spider Servaea incana (Araneae Salticidae)
Publisher: Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Date: 18-10-2017
Ultrastructure of male reproductive accessory glands and ejaculatory duct in the Queensland fruit fly, Bactrocera tryoni (Diptera: Tephritidae)
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 05-2009
DOI: 10.1016/J.ASD.2008.09.004
Abstract: Ultrastructure of male reproductive accessory glands and ejaculatory duct in the Queensland fruit fly (Q-fly), Bactrocera tryoni, were investigated and compared with those of other tephritid flies. Male accessory glands were found to comprise one pair of mesodermic glands and three pairs of ectodermic glands. The mesodermic accessory glands consist of muscle-lined, binucleate epithelial cells, which are highly microvillated and extrude electron-dense secretions by means of macroapocrine transport into a central lumen. The ectodermic accessory glands consist of muscle-lined epithelial cells which have wide subcuticular cavities, lined with microvilli. The electron-transparent secretions from these glands are first extruded into the cavities and then forced out through small pores of the cuticle into the gland lumen. Secretions from the two types of accessory glands then flow into the ejaculatory duct, which is highly muscular, with epithelial cells rich in rough endoplasmic reticulum and lined with a thick, deeply invaginated cuticle. While there are some notable differences, reproductive accessory glands of male Q-flies generally resemble those of the olive fruitfly, Bactrocera oleae, and to a lesser extent the Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata.
Exposure of insect cells to ionising radiation in vivo induces persistent phosphorylation of a H2AX homologue (H2AvB)
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 22-06-2013
Abstract: The response of eukaryotic cells to ionising radiation (IR)-induced double-strand DNA breaks is highly conserved and involves a DNA repair mechanism characterised by the early phosphorylation of histone protein H2AX (producing the active form γH2AX). Although the expression of an induced γH2AX variant has been detected in Drosophila melanogaster, the expression and radiation response of a γH2AX homologue has not been reported in economically important fruit flies. We use Bactrocera tryoni (Diptera: Tephritidae, Queensland fruit fly or 'Q-fly') to investigate this response with a view to developing molecular assays to detect/quantify exposure of fruit flies to IR and consequent DNA damage. Deep sequencing confirmed the presence of a H2AX homologue that we have termed H2AvB (i.e. variant Bactrocera) and has an identical sequence to a histone reported from the human disease vector Glossina morsitans. A linear dose-response of γH2AvB (0-400 Gy IR) was observed in whole Q-fly pupal lysates 24h post-IR and was detected at doses as low as 20 Gy. γH2AvB signal peaked at ~20min after IR exposure and at 24h post-IR the signal remained elevated but declined significantly by 5 days. Persistent and dose-dependent γH2AvB signal could be detected and quantified either by western blot or by laser scanning cytometry up to 17 days post-IR exposure in histone extracts or isolated nuclei from adult Q-flies (irradiated as pupae). We conclude that IR exposure in Q-fly leads to persistent γH2AvB signals (over a period of days) that can easily be detected by western blot or quantitative immunofluorescence techniques. These approaches have potential as the basis for assays for detection and quantification of prior IR exposure in pest fruit flies.
Rectal gland exudates and emissions of Bactrocera bryoniae: chemical identification, electrophysiological and pheromonal functions
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 28-11-2020
10.1023/A:1003810518351
Publisher: Test accounts
Date: 2011
Genome-wide patterns of differentiation over space and time in the Queensland fruit fly
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 07-2020
DOI: 10.1038/S41598-020-67397-5
Abstract: The Queensland fruit fly, Bactrocera tryoni , is a major pest of Australian horticulture which has expanded its range in association with the spread of horticulture over the last ~ 150 years. Its distribution in northern Australia overlaps that of another fruit fly pest to which some authors accord full species status, Bactrocera aquilonis . We have used reduced representation genome-wide sequencing to genotype 359 in iduals taken from 35 populations from across the current range of the two taxa, plus a further 73 in iduals from six of those populations collected 15–22 years earlier. We find significant population differentiation along an east–west transect across northern Australia which likely reflects limited but bidirectional gene flow between the two taxa. The southward expansion of B. tryoni has led to relatively little genetic differentiation, and most of it is associated with a move into previously marginal inland habitats. Two disjunct populations elsewhere in Australia and three on Melanesian islands are each clearly differentiated from all others, with data strongly supporting establishment from relatively few founders and significant isolation subsequently. Resequencing of historical s les from one of the disjunct Australian populations shows that its genetic profile has changed little over a 15-year period, while the Melanesian data suggest a succession of ‘island hopping’ events with progressive reductions in genetic ersity. We discuss our results in relation to the control of B. tryoni and as a model for understanding the genetics of invasion and hybridisation processes.
Marking and identification methodologies for mass releases of sterile Queensland fruit fly Bactrocera tryoni (Diptera: Tephritidae) an overview
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 04-2023
Dietary methoprene enhances sexual competitiveness of sterile male Queensland fruit flies in field cages
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 24-10-2020
Visibility and Persistence of Fluorescent Dyes, and Impacts on Emergence, Quality, and Survival of Sterile Queensland Fruit Fly Bactrocera tryoni (Diptera: Tephritidae)
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 27-10-2020
DOI: 10.1093/JEE/TOAA225
Abstract: Tephritid flies released in sterile insect technique pest management programs are usually marked with fluorescent dyes so that they can be distinguished from wild flies in monitoring traps. Dyes can have adverse effects on emergence, quality, and survival, which can impact sterile insect technique (SIT) success, and so it is important to identify dyes and doses that maximize marking efficacy while minimizing deleterious effects on fly quality. This study examines the effects of five fluorescent dye products, Fluoro Pink, Fluoro Orange, Stella Green, Arc Chrome, and Astral Pink applied at four dose levels (1, 2, 3, and 4 g/liter) on Queensland fruit fly. All dye products caused a similar dose-dependent reduction in percentage of adult emergence. Incidence of morphological deformity of emerged adults increased with dose, and this trend was similar for all dye products. No effects of dye product or dose were found on survival rates over the first 35 d of adulthood, although females tended to have higher survival than males. Visibility varied with dose and dye product 1 g/liter dye was less visible than 2, 3, or 4 g/liter, and Stella green had lower visibility than other dyes. All of the tested dyes except for Stella green were similar in all assessed metrics of fly performance and are recommended for use in SIT programs.
Dietary methoprene treatment promotes rapid development of reproductive organs in male Queensland fruit fly
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 10-2020
Artificial larval diet mediates the microbiome of Queensland fruit fly
Publisher: Frontiers Media SA
Date: 16-09-2020
Raspberry Ketone Analogs: Vapour Pressure Measurements and Attractiveness to Queensland Fruit Fly, Bactrocera tryoni (Froggatt) (Diptera: Tephritidae)
Publisher: Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Date: 19-05-2016
Activity patterns of Queensland fruit flies (Bactrocera tryoni) are affected by both mass-rearing and sterilization
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 11-03-2010
A virtual reality paradigm for the study of visually mediated behaviour and cognition in spiders
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 09-2015
Insecticidal activity of ring-fluorinated benzyl acetone analogs in Queensland fruit fly, a softer class of insecticides
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 12-05-2020
Multiple intraguild predators reduce mortality risk of a mutual agricultural pest prey in simple, but not in complex, experimental settings
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 24-05-2019
DOI: 10.1111/AEC.12773
Real-time PCR-based Y-specific sperm quantification assay in Queensland fruit fly
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 12-02-2021
DOI: 10.1111/IMB.12697
Accelerated sexual maturation in methoprene-treated sterile and fertile male Queensland fruit flies (Diptera Tephritidae), and mosquito larvicide as an economical and effective source of methoprene
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 10-08-2019
DOI: 10.1093/JEE/TOZ214
Abstract: Queensland fruit flies Bactrocera tryoni (‘Q-fly’) have long adult prereproductive development periods, which can present challenges for sterile insect technique (SIT) programs. Holding the sterile flies in release facilities is expensive for control programs. Alternatively, releases of sexually immature males can lead to substantial mortality of sterile males before they mature. Recent studies have reported effectiveness of dietary supplementation with a mosquito larvicide (NOMOZ) that contains S-methoprene, a juvenile hormone analogue, for accelerating sexual development of fertile Q-fly males. However, it is not known whether effects on sterile flies are comparable to effects on fertile flies, or whether effects of methoprene-containing larvicide are comparable to effects of analytical standard methoprene such has been used in most studies. Here we address both knowledge gaps, investigating the effects of analytical standard methoprene and NOMOZ mixed with food and provided for 48 h following emergence on sexual development and longevity of fertile and sterile Q-flies. Compared with controls, fertile and sterile male Q-flies that were provided diets supplemented with methoprene from either source exhibited substantially accelerated sexual development by 2–3 d and longer mating duration. Unlike males, females did not respond to methoprene treatment. Although fertile and sterile flies were generally similar in sexual development and response to methoprene treatment, sterile flies of both sexes tended to have shorter copula duration than fertile flies. Neither methoprene supplements nor sterilization affected longevity of flies. The present study confirms effectiveness of dietary methoprene supplements in accelerating sexual development of both fertile and sterile male (but not female) Q-flies, and also confirms that low-cost mosquito larvicides that contain methoprene can achieve effects similar to those for high-cost analytical grade methoprene as prerelease supplements for Q-fly SIT.
Feeding on yeast hydrolysate enhances attraction to cue‐lure in Queensland fruit flies, Bactrocera tryoni
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 13-10-2008
Overlooked Scents: Chemical Profile of Soma, Volatile Emissions and Trails of the Green Tree Ant, Oecophylla smaragdina
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 30-04-2020
DOI: 10.3390/MOLECULES25092112
Abstract: The green tree ant, Oecophylla smaragdina, is one of only two recognized species of weaver ants. While the identity and functions of chemicals produced and emitted by its congener O. longinoda have been studied quite extensively and serve as a valuable model in chemical ecology research, little comparable information is available about O. smaragdina. Although some analyses of chemicals produced and emitted by O. smaragdina have been reported, the literature is fragmentary and incomplete for this species. To address this knowledge gap, and to enable comparisons in the chemical ecology of the two weaver ant species, we here describe erse chemicals from the cuticle, Dufour’s glands, poison glands, head, headspace volatiles, and trails of O. smaragdina.
Rectal Gland Chemistry, Volatile Emissions, and Antennal Responses of Male and Female Banana Fruit Fly, Bactrocera musae
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 31-12-2019
Abstract: The banana fruit fly, Bactrocera musae (Tryon) (Diptera: Tephritidae), is an economically important pest endemic to Australia and mainland Papua New Guinea. The chemistry of its rectal glands, and the volatiles emitted during periods of sexual activity, has not been previously reported. Using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS), we find that male rectal glands contain ethyl butanoate, N-(3-methylbutyl) acetamide, ethyl laurate and ethyl myristate, with ethyl butanoate as the major compound in both rectal gland and headspace volatile emissions. Female rectal glands contain four major compounds, ethyl laurate, ethyl myristate, ethyl palmitate and (E,E)-2,8-dimethyl-1,7-dioxaspiro[5.5]undecane, as well as 11 minor compounds. For both male and female B. musae, all compounds found in the headspace were also present in the rectal gland extracts, suggesting that the rectal gland is the main source of the headspace volatiles. Gas chromatography–electroantennography (GC-EAD) of rectal gland extracts confirms that male antennae respond to male-produced ethyl laurate and female-produced (E,E)-2,8-dimethyl-1,7-dioxaspiro[5.5]undecane, while female antennae respond to male-produced ethyl butanoate but no female-produced compounds. This is an important step in understanding the volatiles involved in the chemical communication of B. musae, their functional significance, and potential application.
Flexibility in the multi-modal courtship of a wolf spider, Schizocosa ocreata
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 06-10-2005
Control of copula duration and sperm storage by female Queensland fruit flies
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 12-2010
DOI: 10.1016/J.JINSPHYS.2010.07.005
Abstract: Copula duration and sperm storage patterns can directly or indirectly affect fitness of male and female insects. Although both sexes have an interest in the outcome, research has tended to focus on males. To investigate female influences, we compared copula duration and sperm storage of Queensland fruit fly females that were intact, or had been incapacitated through decapitation or abdomen isolation. We found that copulations were far longer when females had been incapacitated, indicating that constraints imposed on copula duration by intact females had been relaxed. Repeatability of copula duration for males was very low regardless of female treatment, and this is also consistent with strong female influence. Number of sperm in the spermathecae was not influenced by female treatment, suggesting that female abdominal ganglia control the transport of sperm to these long-term storage organs. However, more sperm were found in the ventral receptacles of incapacitated females compared to intact females. Overall, results implicate cephalic ganglia in regulation of copula duration and short-term sperm storage in the ventral receptacle and abdominal ganglia in regulation of long-term sperm storage in the spermathecae.
Seminal fluids mediate sexual inhibition and short copula duration in mated female Queensland fruit flies
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 07-2007
DOI: 10.1016/J.JINSPHYS.2006.10.009
Abstract: Molecules in male seminal fluid transferred to female insects during mating can have potent effects on their subsequent sexual and reproductive behaviour. Like many other tephritids, female Queensland fruit flies (Bactrocera tryoni) typically have diminished sexual receptivity after their first mating. Also, copulations of females that do remate tend to be shorter than those of virgins. We here find that virgin females injected with small doses (0.1, 0.2 or 0.5 male equivalents) of extracts from the male reproductive tract accessory tissues, which consist of male accessory glands, ejaculatory apodeme and ejaculatory duct (AG/EA/ED), have diminished receptivity and short copula duration very similar to naturally mated females. In contrast, virgin females injected with saline or with high doses of AG/EA/ED (1 or 2 male equivalents) that likely exceed the range of natural variation retain the higher levels of sexual receptivity and longer copulations of un-injected virgins. We conclude that reduced sexual receptivity and shorter copulations of mated female Q-flies are mediated by products in the male seminal fluid derived from the male reproductive tract accessory tissues.
Assassin bug uses aggressive mimicry to lure spider prey
Publisher: The Royal Society
Date: 27-10-2010
Abstract: Assassin bugs ( Stenolemus bituberus ) hunt web-building spiders by invading the web and plucking the silk to generate vibrations that lure the resident spider into striking range. To test whether vibrations generated by bugs aggressively mimic the vibrations generated by insect prey, we compared the responses of spiders to bugs with how they responded to prey, courting male spiders and leaves falling into the web. We also analysed the associated vibrations. Similar spider orientation and approach behaviours were observed in response to vibrations from bugs and prey, whereas different behaviours were observed in response to vibrations from male spiders and leaves. Peak frequency and duration of vibrations generated by bugs were similar to those generated by prey and courting males. Further, vibrations from bugs had a temporal structure and litude that were similar to vibrations generated by leg and body movements of prey and distinctly different to vibrations from courting males or leaves, or prey beating their wings. To be an effective predator, bugs do not need to mimic the full range of prey vibrations. Instead bugs are general mimics of a subset of prey vibrations that fall within the range of vibrations classified by spiders as ‘prey’.
Caffeine as a promotor of sexual development in sterile Queensland fruit fly males
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 08-09-2020
DOI: 10.1038/S41598-020-71671-X
Abstract: Sterile insect technique (SIT) is an environmentally benign pest management technique that involves releasing millions of sterile insects to suppress reproduction of pest populations. Many fruit flies, including Queensland fruit fly ( Bactrocera tryoni Froggatt, ‘Q-fly’), have long adult maturation periods such that pre-maturation mortality can greatly reduce abundance of sexually active sterile males and impede SIT efficacy. Q-fly is the most difficult and costly challenge to market access for Australia’s horticulture industries, and has been targeted for intensive use of SIT program. We here demonstrate potential of pre-release caffeine supplements as a novel means to accelerate sexual maturation in male Q-fly. In mating trials, analytical caffeine was very effective at accelerating sexual maturation, while no positive effects of caffeine-containing instant coffee or guarana supplements were detected. In parallel, development of testes and ejaculatory apodemes was accelerated in males provided analytical caffeine but not instant coffee or guarana. High doses of guarana and instant coffee reduced longevity while even the highest doses of analytical caffeine did not affect longevity. Pre-release caffeine supplements promote sexual maturation in Q-flies, and similar benefits are expected in other fruit flies having long adult maturation periods.
Natural history and display behaviour of Servaea incana, a common and widespread Australian jumping spider (Araneae:Salticidae)
Publisher: CSIRO Publishing
Date: 2015
DOI: 10.1071/ZO15032
Abstract: The natural history and intraspecific interactions of Servaea incana, a common jumping spider of temperate Australia, are described. S. incana inhabits the trunks of eucalypt trees, where it builds silken retreats and nests under loose bark. Like other jumping spiders, S. incana males use elaborate visual displays (Type I courtship) when they encounter females in the open. Male jumping spiders usually rely on silk-borne vibrations to communicate with females residing within retreats and nests (Type II courtship). S. incana often uses visual displays in this context, because the thin silken walls allow conspecifics to see each other. Adult males that encounter subadult females at retreats sometimes build their own retreat nearby and cohabit until the subadult female moults to maturity, copulating shortly afterwards. Adult females and immature stages of both sexes possess similar display repertoires that contain fewer display elements than the repertoire of males. We found no evidence that visual displays of S. incana contain seismic elements, in contrast to some of its closest relatives. S. incana preys upon a variety of small arthropods and, unusually amongst salticids, ants make up a large portion of the diet. Identified enemies of S. incana include spiders, a pompilid wasp and a mantispid.
Araneophagic assassin bugs choose routes that minimize risk of detection by web-building spiders
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 08-2012
Quadromaculata n. Sp. (araneae, stiphidiidae): A large new zealand spider from wet, shaded habitats
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 1995
A primary role of developmental instability in sexual selection
Publisher: The Royal Society
Date: 17-10-2007
Abstract: In evolutionary biology, fluctuating asymmetry (FA) is thought to reveal developmental instability (DI, inability to buffer development against perturbations), but its adaptive and genetic bases are being debated. In other fields, such as human clinical genetics, DI is being assessed as incidence of minor morphological abnormalities (MMAs) and used to predict certain fitness outcomes. Here, for the first time, we combine these complementary measures of DI in sexual selection and quantitative genetic studies of a natural population. Comprehensive multivariate analyses demonstrate that FA and MMAs in a condition-dependent sexual ornament, the male Drosophila bipectinata sex comb used in courtship, are sole significant targets of selection favouring their reduced expression in New Caledonia. Comb FA and MMAs are positively correlated, confirming that each are linked to a common buffering system. Ornament size and DI (as FA and MMAs) are positively correlated, genetically and phenotypically, contrary to theoretical expectation of negative size-FA scaling under the assumption that FA reveals overall genetic quality. There exists significant additive genetic variance for MMAs, demonstrating their evolutionary potential. Ornament DI in New Caledonia is markedly elevated compared with populations where such selection was not detected, suggesting that the increased population-level DI is capacitating adaptive evolution.
Effects of post-teneral nutrition on reproductive success of male mediterranean fruit flies (Diptera : Tephritidae)
Publisher: Florida Entomological Society
Date: 03-2002
Biology of Stenolemus giraffa (Hemiptera: Reduviidae), a web invading, araneophagic assassin bug from Australia
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 15-09-2011
Absence of social facilitation of courtship in the wolf spider, Schizocosa ocreata (Hentz) (Araneae : Lycosidae)
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 13-10-2006
Alternative predatory tactics of an araneophagic assassin bug (Stenolemus bituberus)
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 25-10-2008
Patterns of sperm use by twice-mated female Queensland fruit flies
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 18-01-2022
Abstract: Multiple mating by females, polyandry, is common in insects, including in tephritid fruit flies. Female insects that remate commonly store sperm of multiple males. How the sperm of different males contribute to paternity is an important element of sexual selection. Sexual behavior and reproduction of the Queensland fruit fly (Qfly), Bactrocera tryoni , has been extensively investigated both in relation to understanding this economically important species’ reproductive biology and in relation to implications for Sterile Insect Technique (SIT), whereby sterile flies are released to constrain reproduction of pest populations. Despite numerous studies of pre‐ and postcopulatory sexual selection in Qfly, there have been no direct studies of paternity patterns in polyandrous female Qflies. We used two morphologically distinguishable lines to investigate patterns of sperm use in Qfly. The two lines showed comparable mating performance evidenced by similar mating and remating frequency, copula duration, and proportion of second mate paternity (P2) between reciprocal crosses. The mechanism of sperm usage, with P2 close to 0.5 immediately after the second mating followed by gradual decrease of P2 as females aged, is most consistent with stratification or repositioning of sperm. Patterns observed in the present study are compared with the available information from other tephritid fruit flies, and are discussed in relation to this species’ reproductive biology, known patterns of sperm storage, and SIT.
On the function of an enigmatic ornament: wattles increase the conspicuousness of visual displays in male fowl
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 12-2009
The ecology of Bactrocera tryoni (Diptera: Tephritidae): What do we know to assist pest management?
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 02-11-2011
Effects of carbohydrate types on larval development and adult traits in a polyphagous fruit fly
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 2020
DOI: 10.1016/J.JINSPHYS.2019.103969
Abstract: Nutrition is a major mediator of insect life-history trait expression. While the role of macronutrient (carbohydrate and protein) balance on trait expression has received substantial attention, the implications of different classes of specific macronutrients remains virtually unexplored. Here, we addressed this gap by varying the type of carbohydrate in larval diets of the polyphagous fruit fly Bactrocera tryoni (aka 'Queensland fruit fly'). Sourcing insects from a colony maintained using larval diets that contain sucrose, we assessed the effects of sucrose, maltose, and lactose on larval development and adult traits. Replacement of sucrose with lactose resulted in slow larval growth, as well as decreases in pupation, adult emergence and adult body weight for both sexes, although adult lipid reserves were unaffected. Sucrose and maltose were equivalent in terms of larval growth, pupation, adult emergence and adult weight of both sexes. Surprisingly, adults from larvae reared on diets containing maltose had lower lipid reserves than adults from larvae reared on diets containing either lactose or sucrose. The sex ratio of adults at emergence from larvae reared on diets containing lactose and maltose was balanced, but was female-biased in adults from larvae reared on diets containing sucrose. Our results show that carbohydrate sources are not equivalent for development of the Queensland fruit fly, affecting both larval development and adult traits. These findings have implications for understanding the ecology of this highly polyphagous species which infests fruits with highly erse carbohydrate contents, as well as for the rearing and management of this pest species.
Optical cues used in predation by jumping spiders, Phidippus audax (Araneae, Salticidae)
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 11-2012
Cool storage of Queensland fruit fly pupae for improved management of mass production schedules
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 07-05-2019
DOI: 10.1002/PS.5436
Abstract: Cool storage is a valuable means of manipulating insect development time. The Queensland fruit fly (Q-fly) is Australia's most economically significant pest of fruit crops. The present study investigates cool storage of Q-fly pupae for increasing production flexibility for sterile insect technique programs. Development time, survival and fly quality were assessed following continuous storage of 1-day-old pupae at temperatures ranging from 13 to 25 °C. Survival was reduced almost to zero by pupal storage at 13 and 15 °C, was greatly reduced by storage at 17 °C, and was modestly reduced by storage at 19 °C. Pupal development time was extended by 16 days at 17 °C and by 9 days at 19 °C. Cool storage negatively affected flight ability and depleted lipid reserves. Cool storage at 19 °C enhanced the ability of 3-day-old adults to recover from chill-coma compared to control flies, indicating cold acclimation. There is potential for use of cool storage in Q-fly mass rearing, especially to improve alignment between production and field releases. For the purpose of delaying the development time of Q-fly pupae with minimal quality reduction, storage at 23 °C is recommended for 1-day-old pupae. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry.
Natural history observations and predatory behaviour of a long-legged jumping spider, Megaloastia mainae (Araneae: Salticidae)
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 02-01-2016
Postcopulatory sexual selection in Mediterranean fruit flies: advantages for large and protein-fed males
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 08-1999
Diet quality mediates activity patterns in adult Queensland fruit fly (Bactrocera tryoni)
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 07-2013
DOI: 10.1016/J.JINSPHYS.2013.04.005
Abstract: Studies linking resource acquisition and trait expression have traditionally treated nutritional resources as a single currency, but recent research has shown that trait expression can depend as much on diet quality (nutrient composition) as on diet quantity (calories). Here, we investigate the role of nutrient composition and diet concentration on activity levels of adult Queensland fruit flies (Bactrocera tryoni Froggatt: Tephritidae). Male and female flies were fed diets that varied in the proportion of protein and carbohydrate as well as total amounts of protein and carbohydrate. Daily activity levels were then quantified using locomotor activity monitors during both light and dark phases. During the light phase, both sexes increased the proportion of time spent active and their rate of activity as diets became more carbohydrate-rich and concentrated. In contrast, during the dark phase, nutrient composition and concentration had no effect on the proportion of time spent active for either sex, although when active during the dark phase, activity rates were higher for flies fed more carbohydrate-rich and concentrated diets. Overall, nutritional composition of the diet affected activity levels to a greater extent than the total energetic content of the diet.
Raspberry ketone supplement promotes early sexual maturation in male Queensland fruit fly, Bactrocera tryoni (Diptera: Tephritidae)
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 25-02-2017
DOI: 10.1002/PS.4538
Abstract: Raspberry ketone (RK) is highly attractive to sexually mature, but not immature, males of many Bactrocera species, including Queensland fruit fly ('Qfly', Bactrocera tryoni), and acts as a metabolic enhancer in a wide ersity of animals. We considered the possibility that, as a metabolic enhancer, RK in adult diet might accelerate sexual maturation of male Qflies. Recently emerged adult Qfly males (0-24 h old) were exposed to RK-treated food for 48 h and were then provided only sugar and water. Four doses of RK (1.25, 2.5, 3.75 and 5%) along with control (0%) were tested with two types of food: sugar alone and sugar mixed with yeast hydrolysate (3:1). For flies tested when 4-10 days old all RK doses increased mating probability of flies fed sugar mixed with yeast hydrolysate but did not show any effect on mating probability of flies fed only sugar. No effects of RK were found for flies tested when 10-30 days old for either diet group. There was no evidence that RK affected longevity at any of the doses tested. Feeding of RK together with yeast hydrolysate to immature Qfly increases mating propensity at young ages and accordingly shows significant potential as a pre-release supplement that might increase the proportion of released flies that attain sexual maturation in Sterile Insect Technique programmes. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry.
Sexual competitiveness of Vienna 4/Tol-94 'genetic sexing' sterile mediterranean fruit fly males in Israel
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 02-2001
DOI: 10.1007/BF02981808
Mating Reverses Actuarial Aging in Female Queensland Fruit Flies.
Publisher: Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Date: 06-07-2015
Electric shock for aversion training of jumping spiders: Towards an arachnid model of avoidance learning
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 04-2015
DOI: 10.1016/J.BEPROC.2015.01.015
Abstract: Electric shock is used widely as an aversive stimulus in conditioning experiments, yet little attention has been given to its physiological effects and their consequences for bioassays. In the present study, we provide a detailed characterization of how electric shock affects the mobility and behaviour of Servaea incana, a jumping spider. We begin with four mobility assays and then narrow our focus to a single effective assay with which we assess performance and behaviour. Based on our findings, we suggest a voltage range that may be employed as an aversive stimulus while minimizing decrements in physical performance and other aspects of behaviour. Additionally, we outline a novel method for constructing electric shock platforms that overcome some of the constraints of traditional methods while being highly effective and easily modifiable to suit the study animal and experimental context. Finally, as a demonstration of the viability of our aversive stimulus in a passive avoidance conditioning task, we successfully train spiders to associate a dark compartment with electric shock. Future research using electric shock as an aversive stimulus with terrestrial invertebrates such as spiders and insects may benefit from the flexible and reliable methods outlined in the present study.
Extended pre‐release holding with raspberry ketone and methoprene as supplements: Field performance of Bactrocera tryoni males
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 18-11-2021
DOI: 10.1111/JEN.12952
Abstract: In Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) programs, the released sterile insects must attain sexual maturity at an early adult age so that a large proportion survive to mature and contribute to reducing reproduction of pest populations. Previous field studies based on release of adult Queensland fruit fly, Bactrocera tryoni (Froggatt) (‘Q‐fly’), at 2 days of age found a significant increase in the recapture of mature male Q‐flies when they were provided methoprene or raspberry ketone (RK) before release. SIT for Q‐flies has subsequently adopted release at 5 days of age there is now a contextual need to re‐assess the merit of methoprene and RK supplements. We assessed field abundance and dispersal of mature sterile male Q‐flies that had been held for 5 days on pre‐release standard diets of sugar and yeast hydrolysate (3:1) (control) with and without methoprene or RK supplements. Overall, the proportion of control‐ and RK‐treated flies recaptured was higher than the proportion of methoprene‐treated flies recaptured. We found no evidence that either methoprene or RK supplements yielded improvements over the control diet alone concerning abundance and dispersal of the male Q‐flies. Laboratory studies indicate that while the doses of methoprene (control + methoprene at 0.05% or 0.5%) and RK (control + RK at 1.25% or 5%) used in field releases at 2 days of age did not affect male longevity when sustenance was provided, these doses resulted in reduced longevity when no sustenance was provided. Furthermore, all doses of methoprene and RK used in field releases at 5 days of age reduced male longevity regardless of sustenance. At 5 days of age, the flies are already in an advanced state of maturity when released and in this context, it appears that additional pre‐release treatments of methoprene and RK provide no further improvement and may even be detrimental when nutrition is scarce.
γ‐Octalactone, an effective oviposition stimulant of Bactrocera tryoni
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 23-10-2019
DOI: 10.1111/JEN.12711
Commensal microbiota modulates larval foraging behaviour, development rate and pupal production in Bactrocera tryoni
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 12-2019
DOI: 10.1186/S12866-019-1648-7
Abstract: Commensal microbes can promote survival and growth of developing insects, and have important fitness implications in adulthood. Insect larvae can acquire commensal microbes through two main routes: by vertical acquisition from maternal deposition of microbes on the eggshells and by horizontal acquisition from the environment where the larvae develop. To date, however, little is known about how microbes acquired through these different routes interact to shape insect development. In the present study, we investigated how vertically and horizontally acquired microbiota influence larval foraging behaviour, development time to pupation and pupal production in the Queensland fruit fly (‘Qfly’), Bactrocera tryoni . Both vertically and horizontally acquired microbiota were required to maximise pupal production in Qfly. Moreover, larvae exposed to both vertically and horizontally acquired microbiota pupated sooner than those exposed to no microbiota, or only to horizontally acquired microbiota. Larval foraging behaviour was also influenced by both vertically and horizontally acquired microbiota. Larvae from treatments exposed to neither vertically nor horizontally acquired microbiota spent more time overall on foraging patches than did larvae of other treatments, and most notably had greater preference for diets with extreme protein or sugar compositions. The integrity of the microbiota early in life is important for larval foraging behaviour, development time to pupation, and pupal production in Qflies. These findings highlight the complexity of microbial relations in this species, and provide insights to the importance of exposure to microbial communities during laboratory- or mass-rearing of tephritid fruit flies.
Whole-organism performance and repeatability of locomotion on inclines in spiders
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 05-2012
Desiccation resistance of adult Queensland fruit flies Bactrocera tryoni decreases with age
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 15-11-2010
Ability of male Queensland fruit flies to inhibit receptivity in multiple mates, and the associated recovery of accessory glands
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 02-2008
DOI: 10.1016/J.JINSPHYS.2007.10.014
Abstract: Mating success of male insects is commonly determined by their ability to find and copulate with multiple females, but is also determined by their ability to transfer an effective ejaculate. In order to succeed in these tasks, males must first succeed in replenishing the necessary reproductive reserves between mating opportunities. We here investigate the ability of male Queensland fruit flies ('Q-fly') to recover from their first matings in time to both mate again the following day and to induce sexual inhibition in successive mates. We have previously found that accessory gland fluids (AGFs) transferred in the ejaculate of male Q-flies are directly responsible for induction of sexual inhibition in their mates. We here investigate changes in male accessory gland, testis and ejaculatory apodeme dimensions that are likely to reflect depletion and recovery of contents. We found no differences between virgin and previously mated males in their ability to obtain matings or to induce sexual inhibition in their mates, indicating a full recovery of the necessary reproductive reserves between mating opportunities. Whereas no changes were detected in testis or ejaculatory apodeme size following mating, the recovery of male ability to inhibit female remating was closely reflected in the mesodermal accessory gland dimensions these accessory glands greatly diminished in size (length and area) immediately after mating, with recovery commencing between 5.5 and 11 h after mating. The accessory glands then expanded to reach their original size in time to mate the following day and induce sexual inhibition in the next mate.
Pre‐release feeding on yeast hydrolysate enhances sexual competitiveness of sterile male Queensland fruit flies in field cages
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 09-04-2009
Microbiome of the Queensland fruit fly through metamorphosis
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 26-05-2020
DOI: 10.3390/MICROORGANISMS8060795
Abstract: Bactrocera tryoni (Froggatt) (Queensland fruit fly, or “Qfly”) is a highly polyphagous tephritid fruit fly and a serious economic pest in Australia. Qfly biology is intimately linked to the bacteria and fungi of its microbiome. While there are numerous studies of the microbiome in larvae and adults, the transition of the microbiome through the pupal stage remains unknown. To address this knowledge gap, we used high-throughput Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) to examine microbial communities at each developmental stage in the Qfly life cycle, targeting the bacterial 16S rRNA and fungal ITS regions. We found that microbial communities were similar at the larval and pupal stage and were also similar between adult males and females, yet there were marked differences between the larval and adult stages. Specific bacterial and fungal taxa are present in the larvae and adults (fed hydrolyzed yeast with sugar) which is likely related to differences in nutritional biology of these life stages. We observed a significant abundance of the Acetobacteraceae at the family level, both in the larval and pupal stages. Conversely, Enterobacteriaceae was highly abundant ( %) only in the adults. The majority of fungal taxa present in Qfly were yeasts or yeast-like fungi. In addition to elucidating changes in the microbiome through developmental stages, this study characterizes the Qfly microbiome present at the establishment of laboratory colonies as they enter the domestication process.
Mating-induced changes in responses of female Queensland fruit fly to male pheromones and fruit
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 02-2021
Time-pattern and frequency analyses of sounds produced by irradiated and untreated male Bactrocera tryoni (Diptera : Tephritidae) during mating behavior
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 05-2008
Climate stress resistance in male Queensland fruit fly varies among populations of diverse geographic origins and changes during domestication
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 12-2020
DOI: 10.1186/S12863-020-00935-2
Abstract: The highly polyphagous Queensland fruit fly ( Bactrocera tryoni Froggatt) expanded its range substantially during the twentieth century and is now the most economically important insect pest of Australian horticulture, prompting intensive efforts to develop a Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) control program. Using a “common garden” approach, we have screened for natural genetic variation in key environmental fitness traits among populations from across the geographic range of this species and monitored changes in those traits induced during domestication. Significant variation was detected between the populations for heat, desiccation and starvation resistance and wing length (as a measure of body size). Desiccation resistance was correlated with both starvation resistance and wing length. Bioassay data for three res led populations indicate that much of the variation in desiccation resistance reflects persistent, inherited differences among the populations. No latitudinal cline was detected for any of the traits and only weak correlations were found with climatic variables for heat resistance and wing length. All three stress resistance phenotypes and wing length changed significantly in certain populations with ongoing domestication but there was also a strong population by domestication interaction effect for each trait. Ecotypic variation in heat, starvation and desiccation resistance was detected in Australian Qfly populations, and these stress resistances diminished rapidly during domestication. Our results indicate a need to select source populations for SIT strains which have relatively high climatic stress resistance and to minimise loss of that resistance during domestication.
Potential for pre‐release diet supplements to increase the sexual performance and longevity of male Queensland fruit flies
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 10-07-2008
Cost of reproduction in the Queensland fruit fly: Y-model versus lethal protein hypothesis
Publisher: The Royal Society
Date: 24-10-2012
Abstract: The trade-off between lifespan and reproduction is commonly explained by differential allocation of limited resources. Recent research has shown that the ratio of protein to carbohydrate (P : C) of a fly's diet mediates the lifespan–reproduction trade-off, with higher P : C diets increasing egg production but decreasing lifespan. To test whether this P : C effect is because of changing allocation strategies (Y-model hypothesis) or detrimental effects of protein ingestion on lifespan (lethal protein hypothesis), we measured lifespan and egg production in Queensland fruit flies varying in reproductive status (mated, virgin and sterilized females, virgin males) that were fed one of 18 diets varying in protein and carbohydrate amounts. The Y-model predicts that for sterilized females and for males, which require little protein for reproduction, there will be no effect of P : C ratio on lifespan the lethal protein hypothesis predicts that the effect of P : C ratio should be similar in all groups. In support of the lethal protein hypothesis, and counter to the Y-model, the P : C ratio of the ingested diets had similar effects for all groups. We conclude that the trade-off between lifespan and reproduction is mediated by the detrimental side-effects of protein ingestion on lifespan.
Canola oil as an economical lipid source in gel larval diet for Queensland fruit fly
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 06-10-2018
DOI: 10.1093/JEE/TOY301
Abstract: A new sterile insect technique (SIT) program is currently being developed for management of the Queensland fruit fly, Bactrocera tryoni (Froggatt) (Diptera: Tephritidae), the most costly challenge to Australian horticulture in the eastern states. SIT relies on cost-effective mass production of millions of high-quality flies. A recently developed gel larval diet has proven effective, enabling production of large numbers of high-quality flies, but includes some costly ingredients. With a basic diet now available, current research focuses on refining the formulation to deliver a more economical diet. Wheat germ oil (WGO) is the main lipid source in the current Queensland fruit fly gel diet, but is a particularly expensive ingredient and has limited availability. To identify an oil that maintains high productivity and fly quality at reduced cost, the present study assessed production and performance of Queensland fruit flies reared on gel larval diets containing the WGO that was used in previous studies (WGO/M), an alternative WGO (WGO/A), sunflower oil, rice bran oil, and canola oil. Diets containing canola oil ($5.24/liter) performed as well as diets with WGO/M ($116/liter) in terms of parental egg hatch, pupal number, pupal weight, adult emergence, percentage and rate of fliers, sex ratio, fecundity, and fertility (F1 egg hatch), offering a remarkably cost-effective alternative. Costs of oil in Queensland fruit fly production are reduced by ca. 95% per 1,000 flight capable adults ('fliers'). Substantial savings may be made in Queensland fruit fly mass rearing by substituting WGO/M with canola oil in gel larval diets without compromising productivity.
Crowded developmental environment promotes adult sex-specific nutrient consumption in a polyphagous fly
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 18-02-2019
Large body size for winning and large swords for winning quickly in swordtail males, Xiphophorus helleri
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 06-2008
Larval foraging decisions in competitive heterogeneous environments accommodate diets that support egg-to-adult development in a polyphagous fly
Publisher: The Royal Society
Date: 04-2019
DOI: 10.1098/RSOS.190090
Abstract: In holometabolous insects, larval nutrition is a key factor underpinning development and fitness. Heterogeneity in the nutritional environment and larval competition can force larvae to forage in suboptimal diets, with potential downstream fitness effects. Little is known about how larvae respond to competitive heterogeneous environments, and whether variation in these responses affects current and next generations. Here, we designed nutritionally heterogeneous foraging arenas by modifying nutrient concentration, where groups of the polyphagous fruit fly Bactrocera tryoni could forage freely at various levels of larval competition. Larval foraging preferences were highly consistent and independent of larval competition, with greatest foraging propensity for high (100%) followed by intermediate (80% and 60%) nutrient concentration diets, and avoidance of lower concentration diets (less than 60%). We then used these larval preferences (i.e. 100%, 80% and 60% diets) in fitness assays in which larvae competition was maintained constant, and showed that nutrient concentrations selected by the larvae in the foraging trials had no effect on fitness-related traits such as egg hatching and pupation success, adult flight ability, sex ratio, percentage of emergence, nor on adult cold tolerance, fecundity and next-generation pupal weight. These results support the idea that polyphagous species can exploit erse hosts and nutritional conditions with minimal fitness costs to thrive in new environments.
Effects of field cage colour and supplementary shade on environmental conditions and mating behaviour of Queensland fruit flies, Bactrocera tryoni
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 13-10-2008
Kinship and food availability influence cannibalism tendency in early-instar wolf spiders (Araneae : Lycosidae)
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 09-2003
Virulence of Beauveria sp. and Metarhizium sp. fungi towards fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda)
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 07-09-2023
Dietary methoprene supplement promotes early sexual maturation of male Queensland fruit fly Bactrocera tryoni
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 13-07-2018
Assessment strategies and decision making in male-male contests of Servaea incana jumping spiders
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 03-2015
Influence of crop management and environmental factors on wolf spider assemblages (Araneae: Lycosidae) in an Australian cotton cropping system
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 21-01-2015
DOI: 10.1093/EE/NVU025
Abstract: Wolf spiders (Lycosidae) are the most abundant ground-hunting spiders in the Australian cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) agroecosystems. These spiders have potential in controlling pest bollworms, Helicoverpa spp. (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in minimum-tilled fields. A study was carried out during a wet growing season (2011-2012) in Narrabri, New South Wales, Australia, to determine how different crop rotations and tillage affect wolf spider assemblages in cotton fields. Spider abundance and species richness did not differ significantly between simple plots (no winter crop) and complex plots (cotton-wheat Triticum aestivum L.-vetch Vicia benghalensis L. rotation). However, the wolf spider bio ersity, as expressed by the Shannon-Weaver and Simpson's indices, was significantly higher in complex plots. Higher bio ersity reflected a more even distribution of the most dominant species (Venatrix konei Berland, Hogna crispipes Koch, and Tasmanicosa leuckartii Thorell) and the presence of more rare species in complex plots. T. leuckartii was more abundant in complex plots and appears to be sensitive to farming disturbances, whereas V. konei and H. crispipes were similarly abundant in the two plot types, suggesting higher resilience or recolonizing abilities. The demographic structure of these three species varied through the season, but not between plot types. Environmental variables had a significant effect on spider assemblage, but effects of environment and plot treatment were overshadowed by the seasonal progression of cotton stages. Maintaining a high density and even distribution of wolf spiders that prey on Helicoverpa spp. should be considered as a conservation biological control element when implementing agronomic and pest management strategies.
Automated locomotor activity monitoring as a quality control assay for mass-reared tephritid flies
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 11-07-2014
DOI: 10.1002/PS.3559
Abstract: The Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) requires vast numbers of consistently high quality insects to be produced over long periods. Quality control (QC) procedures are critical to effective SIT, both providing quality assurance and warning of operational deficiencies. We here present a potential new QC assay for mass rearing of Queensland fruit flies (Bactrocera tryoni Froggatt) for SIT locomotor activity monitoring. We investigated whether automated locomotor activity monitors (LAMs) that simply detect how often a fly passes an infrared sensor in a glass tube might provide similar insights but with much greater economy. Activity levels were generally lower for females than for males, and declined over five days in the monitor for both sexes. Female activity levels were not affected by irradiation, but males irradiated at 60 or 70 Gy had reduced activity levels compared with unirradiated controls. We also found some evidence that mild heat shock of pupae results in adults with reduced activity. LAM offers a convenient, effective and economical assay to probe such changes.
Place avoidance learning and memory in a jumping spider
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 28-10-2016
DOI: 10.1007/S10071-016-1048-4
Abstract: Using a conditioned passive place avoidance paradigm, we investigated the relative importance of three experimental parameters on learning and memory in a salticid, Servaea incana. Spiders encountered an aversive electric shock stimulus paired with one side of a two-sided arena. Our three parameters were the ecological relevance of the visual stimulus, the time interval between trials and the time interval before test. We paired electric shock with either a black or white visual stimulus, as prior studies in our laboratory have demonstrated that S. incana prefer dark 'safe' regions to light ones. We additionally evaluated the influence of two temporal features (time interval between trials and time interval before test) on learning and memory. Spiders exposed to the shock stimulus learned to associate shock with the visual background cue, but the extent to which they did so was dependent on which visual stimulus was present and the time interval between trials. Spiders trained with a long interval between trials (24 h) maintained performance throughout training, whereas spiders trained with a short interval (10 min) maintained performance only when the safe side was black. When the safe side was white, performance worsened steadily over time. There was no difference between spiders tested after a short (10 min) or long (24 h) interval before test. These results suggest that the ecological relevance of the stimuli used and the duration of the interval between trials can influence learning and memory in jumping spiders.
1-Octanol emitted by Oecophylla smaragdina weaver ants repels and deters oviposition in Queensland fruit fly
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 21-09-2022
DOI: 10.1038/S41598-022-20102-0
Abstract: Humans have used weaver ants, Oecophylla smaragdina, as biological control agents to control insect pests in orchards for many centuries. Over recent decades, the effectiveness of weaver ants as biological control agents has been attributed in part to deterrent and oviposition inhibiting effects of kairomones produced by the ants, but the chemical identity of these kairomones has remained unknown. We have identified the kairomone responsible for deterrence and oviposition inhibition by O. smaragdina , providing a significant advance in understanding the chemical basis of their predator rey interactions. Olfactometer assays with extracts from weaver ants demonstrated headspace volatiles to be highly repellent to Queensland fruit fly, Bactrocera tryoni . Using electrophysiology and bioassays, we demonstrate that this repellence is induced by a single compound, 1-octanol. Of 16 compounds identified in O. smaragdina headspace, only 1-octanol evoked an electrophysiological response from B. tryoni antennae. Flies had greatly reduced oviposition and spent significantly less time in an olfactometer arm in the presence of 1-octanol or a synthetic blend of headspace volatiles containing 1-octanol than in the presence of a synthetic blend of headspace volatiles without 1-octanol, or clean air. Taken together, our results demonstrate that 1-octanol is the functional kairomone component of O. smaragdina headspace that explains repellence and oviposition deterrence, and is hence an important contributor to the effectiveness of these ants as biological control agents.
Geometry of compensatory feeding and water consumption in Drosophila melanogaster.
Publisher: The Company of Biologists
Date: 03-2012
DOI: 10.1242/JEB.066860
Abstract: Feeding behaviour is an expression of an animal’s underlying nutritional strategy. The study of feeding decisions can hence delineate nutritional strategies. Studies of Drosophila melanogaster feeding behaviour have yielded conflicting accounts, and little is known about how nutrients affect feeding patterns in this important model species. Here, we conducted two experiments to characterize nutrient prioritization and regulation. In a choice experiment, we allowed female flies to self-regulate their intake of yeast, sucrose and water by supplying in idual flies with three microcapillary tubes: one containing only yeast of varying concentrations, another with just sucrose of varying concentrations, and the last with just water. Flies tightly regulated yeast and sucrose to a constant ratio at the expense of excess water intake, indicating that flies prioritize macronutrient regulation over excess water consumption. To determine the relative importance of yeast and sucrose, in a no-choice experiment, we provided flies with two microcapillary tubes: the first with one of the 28 diets varying in yeast and sucrose content and the other with only water. Flies increased total water intake in relation to yeast consumption but not sucrose consumption. Additionally, flies increased diet intake as diet concentration decreased and as the ratio of sugar to yeast equalized. Using a geometric scaling approach, we found that the patterns of diet intake can be explained by flies prioritizing protein and carbohydrates equally and by the lack of substitutability between the nutrients. We conclude by illustrating how our results harmonize conflicting results in the literature once viewed in a two-dimensional diet landscape.
Biology and life history of the araneophagic assassin bugStenolemus bituberusincluding a morphometric analysis of the instars (Heteroptera, Reduviidae)
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 2008
Canopy distribution and microclimate preferences of sterile and wild Queensland fruit flies
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 21-06-2021
DOI: 10.1038/S41598-021-92218-8
Abstract: Insects tend to live within well-defined habitats, and at smaller scales can have distinct microhabitat preferences. These preferences are important, but often overlooked, in applications of the sterile insect technique. Different microhabitat preferences of sterile and wild insects may reflect differences in environmental tolerance and may lead to spatial separation in the field, both of which may reduce the control program efficiency. In this study, we compared the diurnal microhabitat distributions of mass-reared (fertile and sterile) and wild Queensland fruit flies, Bactrocera tryoni (Froggatt) (Diptera: Tephritidae). Flies were in idually tagged and released into field cages containing citrus trees. We recorded their locations in the canopies (height from ground, distance from canopy center), behavior (resting, grooming, walking, feeding), and the abiotic conditions on occupied leaves (temperature, humidity, light intensity) throughout the day. Flies from all groups moved lower in the canopy when temperature and light intensity were high, and humidity was low lower canopy regions provided shelter from these conditions. Fertile and sterile mass-reared flies of both sexes were generally lower in the canopies than wild flies. Flies generally fed from the top sides of leaves that were lower in the canopy, suggesting food sources in these locations. Our observations suggest that mass-reared and wild B. tryoni occupy different locations in tree canopies, which could indicate different tolerances to environmental extremes and may result in spatial separation of sterile and wild flies when assessed at a landscape scale.
Fecundity, fertility and reproductive recovery of irradiated Queensland fruit fly Bactrocera tryoni
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 20-06-2011
Protein:carbohydrate ratios explain life span patterns found in Queensland fruit fly on diets varying in yeast:sugar ratios
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 09-09-2012
Systematic Modification of Zingerone Reveals Structural Requirements for Attraction of Jarvis’s Fruit Fly
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 18-12-2019
DOI: 10.1038/S41598-019-55778-4
Abstract: Tephritid fruit flies are amongst the most significant horticultural pests globally and male chemical lures are important for monitoring and control. Zingerone has emerged as a unique male fruit fly lure that can attract dacine fruit flies that are weakly or non-responsive to methyl eugenol and cuelure. However, the key features of zingerone that mediate this attraction are unknown. As Jarvis’s fruit fly, Bactrocera jarvisi (Tryon), is strongly attracted to zingerone, we evaluated the response of B. jarvisi to 37 zingerone analogues in a series of field trials to elucidate the functional groups involved in attraction. The most attractive analogues were alkoxy derivatives, with isopropoxy being the most attractive, followed by ethoxy and trifluoromethoxy analogues. All of the phenolic esters tested were also attractive with the response typically decreasing with increasing size of the ester. Results indicate that the carbonyl group, methoxy group, and phenol of zingerone are key sites for the attraction of B. jarvisi and identify some constraints on the range of structural modifications that can be made to zingerone without compromising attraction. These findings are important for future work in developing and optimising novel male chemical lures for fruit flies.
Social and nutritional factors shape larval aggregation, foraging, and body mass in a polyphagous fly
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 03-10-2018
DOI: 10.1038/S41598-018-32930-0
Abstract: The majority of insect species have a clearly defined larval stage during development. Larval nutrition is crucial for in iduals’ growth and development, and larval foraging success often depends on both resource availability and competition for those resources. To date, however, little is known about how these factors interact to shape larval development and behaviour. Here we manipulated the density of larvae of the polyphagous fruit fly pest Bactrocera tryoni (‘Queensland fruit fly’), and the diet concentration of patches in a foraging arena to address this gap. Using advanced statistical methods of machine learning and linear regression models, we showed that high larval density results in overall high larval aggregation across all diets except in extreme diet dilutions. Larval aggregation was positively associated with larval body mass across all diet concentrations except in extreme diet dilutions where this relationship was reversed. Over time, larvae in low-density arenas also tended to aggregate while those in high-density arenas tended to disperse, an effect that was observed for all diet concentrations. Furthermore, larvae in high-density arenas displayed significant avoidance of low concentration diets – a behaviour that was not observed amongst larvae in low-density arenas. Thus, aggregation can help, rather than hinder, larval growth in high-density environments, and larvae may be better able to explore available nutrition when at high-density than when at low-density.
Methoprene treatment increases activity, starvation and desiccation risk of Queensland fruit fly
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 2022
DOI: 10.1016/J.JINSPHYS.2021.104340
Abstract: Juvenile hormone is an important regulator of sexual development in insects, and application of methoprene, a juvenile hormone analogue, together with access to a protein-rich diet, has been found to accelerate sexual maturation of several tephritid fruit fly species including Queensland fruit fly Bactrocera tryoni ('Q-fly'). Such accelerated development is a potentially valuable means to increase participation of released males in sterile insect technique programs. However, there is a risk that benefits of accelerated maturation might be countered by increased vulnerability to starvation and desiccation. The present study investigates this possibility. After emergence, flies were treated with three levels of methoprene (0, 0.05%, and 0.5%) incorporated into a diet of sugar and yeast hydrolysate for two days after emergence. Survival of groups and in idual flies was assessed under conditions of food stress, food and water stress, and ad libitum access to diet, and survival of in idual flies was also assessed under desiccation stress. Most flies provided ad libitum access to diet were still alive at 7 days, whereas all stressed flies died within 4 days. Desiccation stressed flies had the shortest survival followed by food and water stress, and then food stress. Methoprene supplements increased susceptibility of flies to each stress. Flies subjected to food and water stress had the least lipid reserves at death, whereas flies subjected to desiccation stress retained the least water reserves. To investigate mechanisms that might underlie reduced survival under stress we also quantified activity level of flies that were subjected to food and water stress and desiccation stress. Activity level was greater for flies provided methoprene, but did not vary with stress type or sex, suggesting that increased vulnerability of flies to stress is related to elevated metabolism associated with elevated activity. Deleterious effects of methoprene supplements on stress tolerance indicate a need for careful consideration of the conditions that will be encountered by flies in the field before deploying methoprene as a pre-release treatment in Q-fly sterile insect technique programs.
Lifespan and reproduction in Drosophila : New insights from nutritional geometry
Publisher: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
Date: 19-02-2008
Abstract: Modest dietary restriction (DR) prolongs life in a wide range of organisms, spanning single-celled yeast to mammals. Here, we report the use of recent techniques in nutrition research to quantify the detailed relationship between diet, nutrient intake, lifespan, and reproduction in Drosophila melanogaster . Caloric restriction (CR) was not responsible for extending lifespan in our experimental flies. Response surfaces for lifespan and fecundity were maximized at different protein–carbohydrate intakes, with longevity highest at a protein-to-carbohydrate ratio of 1:16 and egg-laying rate maximized at 1:2. Lifetime egg production, the measure closest to fitness, was maximized at an intermediate P:C ratio of 1:4. Flies offered a choice of complementary foods regulated intake to maximize lifetime egg production. The results indicate a role for both direct costs of reproduction and other deleterious consequences of ingesting high levels of protein. We unite a body of apparently conflicting work within a common framework and provide a platform for studying aging in all organisms.
Stable isotopes for reliable identification of wild and mass-reared Queensland fruit flies in sterile insect technique programs
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 04-05-2021
Reduced quality of sterile Queensland fruit fly following post-production stress from hypoxia, irradiation and vibration
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 14-08-2020
Nutrients, not caloric restriction, extend lifespan in Queensland fruit flies (Bactrocera tryoni)
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 24-09-2009
DOI: 10.1111/J.1474-9726.2009.00497.X
Abstract: Caloric restriction (CR) has been widely accepted as a mechanism explaining increased lifespan (LS) in organisms subjected to dietary restriction (DR), but recent studies investigating the role of nutrients have challenged the role of CR in extending longevity. Fuelling this debate is the difficulty in experimentally disentangling CR and nutrient effects due to compensatory feeding (CF) behaviour. We quantified CF by measuring the volume of solution imbibed and determined how calories and nutrients influenced LS and fecundity in unmated females of the Queensland fruit fly, Bactocera tryoni (Diptera: Tephritidae). We restricted flies to one of 28 diets varying in carbohydrate:protein (C:P) ratios and concentrations. On imbalanced diets, flies overcame dietary dilutions, consuming similar caloric intakes for most dilutions. The response surface for LS revealed that increasing C:P ratio while keeping calories constant extended LS, with the maximum LS along C:P ratio of 21:1. In general, LS was reduced as caloric intake decreased. Lifetime egg production was maximized at a C:P ratio of 3:1. When given a choice of separate sucrose and yeast solutions, each at one of five concentrations (yielding 25 choice treatments), flies regulated their nutrient intake to match C:P ratio of 3:1. Our results (i) demonstrate that CF can overcome dietary dilutions (ii) reveal difficulties with methods presenting fixed amounts of liquid diet (iii) illustrate the need to measure intake to account for CF in DR studies and (iv) highlight nutrients rather than CR as a dominant influence on LS.
Differential genotypic effects of sexual trait size on offspring mating success and viability
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 21-10-2015
Growth and development of an araneophagic assassin bug, Stenolemus bituberus (Heteroptera:Reduviidae)
Publisher: CSIRO Publishing
Date: 2008
DOI: 10.1071/ZO08058
Abstract: Stenolemus bituberus Stål is an araneophagic Australian assassin bug (i.e. it preys on web-building spiders). As a step towards more thoroughly understanding the behaviour and predatory biology of this species, here we provide baseline information about development. During its development, there are 5 instars, with the 4th instar being the longest. The length of the 4th instar was consistent with this species’ phenology in the field and corresponds to the winter months. Mortality during the 4th instar was higher than in any other instar. Sexes were similar in size until the 5th instar (width across eyes was greater for males than for females, a pattern continued into the adult stage). Overall, adult females tended to be larger than males. The growth rate between instars varied according to instar, although the transition from 5th instar to adult was generally associated with a decrease in growth rate compared with other transitions. Width across the eyes was the only metric that exhibited a sex difference in growth rate, with males growing more than females during the transition from 4th to 5th instar.
Age-dependent insemination success of sterile Mediterranean fruit flies
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 2001
Forewarned is forearmed: Queensland fruit flies detect olfactory cues from predators and respond with predator-specific behaviour
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 29-04-2020
DOI: 10.1038/S41598-020-64138-6
Abstract: Animals can gain significant advantages from abilities to detect cues from predators, assess risks, and respond adaptively to reduce the likelihood of injurious interactions. In contrast, predator cue-induced changes in behaviour may interfere with fitness-associated activities such as exploration, foraging and reproduction. Despite the ecological importance of predator-prey interactions in insects, remarkably little is known about the abilities of insects to detect and respond to olfactory cues from predators, or the potential costs of such responses. We here demonstrate that a tephritid fruit fly, the Queensland fruit fly Bactrocera tryoni , is able to detect and respond differentially to volatile olfactory cues from four potential predators (three spiders and an ant) that vary in prevalence and diurnal activity. Male and female flies increased or decreased motility (velocity, active time, distance moved), or exhibited no change in motility, depending on which predator volatiles they encountered. Further, flies significantly reduced foraging, oviposition and mating propensity in the presence of volatiles from any of the predators. This study is the first report of predator-specific responses to olfactory cues in a tephritid fruit fly, and highlights that such anti-predator responses can impose costs on general activity and reproductive behaviour.
Body patterns as potential amplifiers of size and condition in a territorial spider
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 04-03-2003
Cool storage of Queensland fruit fly eggs for increased flexibility in rearing programs
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 23-10-2019
DOI: 10.1002/PS.5215
Abstract: The Queensland fruit fly (Q-fly) is Australia's most economically damaging insect pest of fruit crops. The Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) used to suppress outbreaks relies on supply of high-quality flies and this can be assisted by the ability to manipulate production schedules. Cool storage at temperatures that are sufficient to slow development without causing significant somatic damage can provide a valuable means of manipulating production schedules. In this study, we investigate the effect of four storage temperatures (10, 13, 16 and 19 °C) and three exposure times (3, 6 or 9 days) on Q-fly eggs. Egg storage proved effective in prolonging the developmental time of Q-flies. Storage at 10 °C was unsuitable, resulting in a low hatching rate for all exposure times. Hatching rate was also significantly reduced when eggs were exposed to 13 °C for 6 or 9 days, followed by a significant reduction in the number of pupae recovered. Storage at 16 °C yielded promising results, prolonging the preimaginal development of Q-flies up to 6.5 days without significantly affecting egg hatching or subsequent development. Cool storage of eggs shows promise as a tool for prolonging the development of Q-flies to manipulate schedules in mass rearing programs. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry.
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Related Funding Activities
Support For Centre For Fruit Fly Biosecurity Innovation
Start Date: 2016
End Date: 2021
Funder: NSW Trade and Investment
View Funded ActivityProject Raising Queensland Fruit Fly Sterile Insect Technique To World Standard (HG14033)
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End Date: 2020
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View Funded ActivityARC Training Centre For Fruit Fly Biosecurity Innovation
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Funder: Australian Research Council
View Funded ActivityDiscovery Projects - Grant ID: DP0663691
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View Funded ActivityDiscovery Projects - Grant ID: DP0664714
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Amount: $239,000.00
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View Funded ActivityLinkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE110100134
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Amount: $160,240.00
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View Funded ActivityIndustrial Transformation Training Centres - Grant ID: IC150100026
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View Funded Activity