Abstract:
Behavioral responses of female Bactrocera cucurbitae to the male sex
pheromones were studied by using a double-choice olfactometer with an air
flow. Sexually mature females responding to the male pheromone during dusk
period showed various types of behavioral activities. The most prominent sexual
responses of females observed during the study were, attraction to the males
and probing of the ovipositor. Wing vibration of males which is considered to
be a mating call was observed in Bactrocera cucurbitae only at dusk.
Behavioral responses of females observed in the olfactometer confirm the
storage and release of a male sex pheromone which is highly attractive to
females. Previous mating reduced the responsiveness of females to the male
pheromone, whereas it neither affected the release of the pheromone by males
nor diminish the ability of males to attract females.
