The western cherry fruit fly, Rhagoletis indifferens Curran (Diptera: Tephritidae), is an endemic herbivore of bitter cherry, Prunus emarginata (Douglas ex Hooker) Eaton, but ∼100 years ago established on earlier-fruiting domesticated sweet cherry, Prunus avium (L.) L. Here, we determined if eclosion times of adult R. indifferens from sweet and bitter cherry differ according to the phenology of...

Since its discovery, RNA interference has been identified as involved in many different cellular processes, and as a natural antiviral response in plants, nematodes, and insects. In insects, the small interfering RNA (siRNA) pathway is the major antiviral response. In recent years, the Piwi-interacting RNA (piRNA) pathway also has been implicated in antiviral defense in mosquitoes infected with...

BACKGROUND Contrary to other Tephritidae, female but also male olive flies, Bactrocera oleae release pheromones during their sexual communication. Alpha-pinene, a common plant volatile found in high amounts in unripe olive fruit and leaves has been detected as one of the major components of the female pheromone. However, possible effects of α-pinene and that of other host volatiles on the matin...

Biotin deficiency is associated with fetal malformations and activation of cell survival pathways in mammals. In this study we determined whether biotin status affects life span, stress resistance, and fertility in the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster. Male and female flies of the Canton-S strain had free access to diets containing 6.0 (control), 4.8, 2.5, or 0 pmol biotin/100 mg. Biotin conce...

Fruit flies cause production losses in mango orchards affecting fruit quality. A National Campaign against Flies (NCFF) evaluates farm status using the per trap day index (FTD). Traps with attractant are installed manually within Mexico, but counting trapped every week requires excessive numbers of trained personal. Electronic traps (e-traps) use sensors to monitor fly population, saving labor ...

Four species of Tonnoira from the Brazilian Atlantic forest are described and illustrated: Tonnoira brisolaii sp. nov, Tonnoira ferreirai sp. nov., Tonnoira andradei sp. nov. and Tonnoira galatiae sp. nov. 

The mechanisms involved in the food perception and selection remain poorly explored in many invertebrates including Drosophila melanogaster. Although our knowledge on these processes has rapidly increased, less is known about the mechanism of deciding or changing in the food preferences of Drosophila. This study explores how the type of media in Drosophila food affect male and female Drosophila...

GF-120 is a baited formulation of the insecticide spinosad containing 1% ammonium acetate, developed for control of economically important fruit flies. The response of feral cherry fruit flies, Rhagoletis cingulata Loew, to GF-120 augmented with 0, 5, or 10% ammonium acetate was evaluated under orchard conditions. Significantly more flies were observed within 30 cm of bait droplets with 10% amm...

Teneral laboratory-bred Glossina palpalis flies were successfully fed through bat's wing membrane on defibrinated blood by means of a technique developed in this laboratory. Using this technique almost 100% of the flies engorged blood through the membrane. Ten to fifteen flies were kept in Standard 'Geigy 10' or 'Geigy 15' cages and records were kept of mortality and the weights of the pupae pr...

The aim of this study was to determine the parasitic and bacterial contaminations of houseflies found around various garbages, and to emphasize the necessity of fly control and taking more efficient strategies for garbage disposal. For this purpose, 800 houseflies from four garbage sources in the city of Kerman (hospital, urban, fruit & vegetable market, and slaughter house wastes) were collect...