Abstract:
An investigation was carried out to study the distribution and courtship
behaviour of the oriental fruit fly, Dacus dorsalis under semi-natural
conditions using a potted citrus plant held inside a perspex cage. The
principal site of assembly for mating in Dacus dorsalis on the plant was the
under-surface of leaves. When the light intensity was reduced at the 'dusk'
period, males aggregated mainly under the leaves and started caIling.
Majority of male calling, encounters and copulation attempts between flies
occurred on the under-surface ofleaves. Copulation was always initiated on
the foliage and never on the 'fruit'. Females were less receptive to males just
after mating. Probing with the ovipositor, which is thought to be an
important part of the courtship sequence, was the most prominent female
sexual behaviour observed.
