Thesis--Leiden. / "Stellingen" inserted. Summary in Dutch. Includes bibliographical references (p. 152-161).

Sociability is defined as the tendency of conspecifics to do non-aggressive activities with each other. In many species, being in a group increases fitness, making it highly relevant to understand. Fruit flies (Drosophila melanogaster) are an ideal model system to study sociability because of their complex social lives. A previous artificial selection experiment created evolved lineages of low and high sociability. Extraction, sequencing, and follow up genomic analyses of these lineages allowed us to identify candidate sociability genes. However, a causal link between genes and sociability has yet to be identified. The goal of this thesis was to functionally validate the effect of these genes. We used RNA Interference (RNAi) to knock down genes and measure subsequent changes in sociability between knockdown and control flies. Our predictions were based on the differential expression of each gene: We predicted that genes with lower expression in the low sociability lineages compared to the control lineage would have lower sociability scores than controls, and vice versa. We used circular 3D printed circular arenas like the ones in Scott et al., (2022) to measure sociability. We successfully verified 10 out of the 20 genes we tested. Sec5, CG13197, Ir94D, and Est-P altered sociability in the predicted direction. We also found that thoc5, CG8329, DJ-1, Net-A, FBgn0033353, and ppk28 also affected sociability, but in the opposite than predicted direction. Future work entails validating a second set of candidate genes that were identified based on population genomic work, investigating other social behaviours in some verified genes, and testing orthologs of verified genes in mice to understand sociability from an evolutionary perspective across various species. / Thesis / Master of Science (MSc) / Sociability is an individual’s tendency to do friendly activities with others. The genetic basis is not clear. To address this gap, we silenced genes that were identified in previous work. We predicted that silencing these genes will alter sociability and used circular arenas to measure it. We found that 10 out of 20 genes affected sociability. Future research includes validating a second set of genes, investigating other social behaviours for verified genes, and to test verified genes in mice.

No description available.

Thesis (MSc)--University of Stellenbosch, 2004. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Two fruit fly species, Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann) and C. rosa (Karsch) (Diptera: Tephritidae) are known to attack deciduous fruit in the Western Cape Province of South Africa. The relative abundance of these two pests was studied in different kinds of fruit throughout the year. To facilitate field monitoring, using the immature stages, morphological differences between larval instars of C. capitata and C. rosa were investigated. Morphological characters of the larvae, such as the spiracles (anterior and posterior), mouth hooks and oral ridges were used. Many of these characters are only suitable to distinguish between the second and third instar larvae as these structures are not yet developed in the first instar larvae. Anterior spiracles were examined in terms of the number of tubules (papillae) and size or shape of the felt chambers. The number of papillae in both species was similar in the second and third instar larvae, but differed between the larvae of the two species (8-10 for C. capitata and 10-13 for C. rosa). In both species the felt chambers of the second instar larvae were narrow and elongate whilst those of the third instar larvae were broad and short. The major difference between the mouthhooks of the two tephritids was the presence of a sub-apical tooth in the third instar larva of C. rosa, being absent in the third instar of C. capitata. For the morphometric study, both laboratory-reared and field-collected specimens were examined. Measurements of the body dimensions (length and width) and various parts of the cephalopharyngeal skeleton (CPS) (mandible base, mandible length and distance between the tip and notch) were recorded in all three instars of both C. capitata and C. rosa. The data were analysed using finite mixture analysis (FMA-N1) and Levene's test was used to test for homogeneity of variances. The results of these analyses were used to estimate the frequency distributions of the larval measurements. In some cases overlaps in distributions were evident and were resolved using the same program, finite mixture analysis (FMA-N1), based on the probability of the overlapping measurements belonging to the designated instar (i.e. the one with highest probability). Determination of growth ratios suggested an approximate conformation to Dyar's rule thereby disputing the possibility of any hidden instar. However, in most cases measurements of the field samples did not conform to Dyar's rule. For the larval instars of C. capitata and C. rosa with overlapping morphological features, the morphometric approach as a distinguishing tool was demonstrated. In the field survey, the relative abundance of C. rosa at all experimental sites was very low in both orchards and adjacent vines. This suggested that this pest was either not a threat in these sites (crops) or the monitoring procedures applied, should be revised. Trap catches indicated high levels of infestation by C. capitata on some sites and low infestation levels at others. On the site with the highest population levels, activity peaks in the orchards did not co-incide with those in the adjacent vineyards. This suggested that these vineyards could be alternative hosts for fruit fly after the fruit in the orchards have been harvested. Forced oviposition (in vitro) studies indicated that Colombard (grown in Simonsvlei) was the most suitable host for survival of C. capitata. Other wine grape cultivars such as Chardonnay were also suitable for the total larval development of C. capitata. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Twee spesies van die vrugtevlieg, Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann) en C. rosa (Karsch) (Diptera: Tephritidae), val sagtevrugte in die Wes Kaap Provinsie van Suid- Afrika aan. Die groot hoeveelheid van hierdie twee plae op verskillende soorte vrugte is regdeur die jaar bestudeer. Voordat enige insekplaag gemonitor kan word, is dit belangrik dat die identiteit van die besondere plaag, insluitend sy onvolwasse stadiums, bekend moet wees. In hierdie studie word die morfologiese verskille tussen die larwe stadiums van C. capitata en C. rosa ondersoek. Kenmerke soos die spirakels (voor en agter), mondhake en mondriwwe is gebruik. Baie van hierdie morfologiese kenmerke kan net gebruik word om te onderskei tussen larwes in die tweede en derde stadiums omdat hierdie strukture nog nie in die eerste stadium ontwikkel is nie. Die voorste spirakels is ondersoek in terme van die aantal tubules (papillae) en die grootte en vorm van die vilt kamers. In beide spesies is die aantal papillae dieselfde vir die tweede en derde larwe stadiums, maar daar was en verskil tussen die larwes van die twee spesies (8-10 vir C. capitata en 10-13 vir C. rosa). In altwee spesies was die viIt kamers van die twee stadium larwes sma I en verleng, terwyl dit in die derde stadium larwes breed en kort was. Die hoof verskil tussen die mondhake van die twee vrugtevliee was die aanwesigheid van die subapikale tand in die derde stadium larwe van C. rosa, terwyl dit afwesig is in die derde stadium van C. capitata. Vir die morfometriese studie is voorbeelde van laboratorium geteelde vrugtevliee, asook vilee wat in die veld gevind is, ondersoek. Die liggaamsafmetings (Iengte en breedte) is gemeet asook die skelet (mandibel basis, mandibel lengte en die afstand tussen die punt en die kerf) in al drie stadiums van C. capitata en C. rosa. Die data is ontleed deur middel van eindige mengsel analise (FMA-N1) en Levene se toets is gebruik om vir homogeniteit en variansies te toets. Die resultate van die ontleding is gebruik om die frekwensie verspreiding van die larwale metings te skat. In sommige gevalle was daar oorvleueling en dit is opgelos met die gebruik van dieselfde program FMA-N1 baseer op die moontlikheid dat die metings wat oorvleuel, aan die aangeduide stadium (d.w.s die een met die hoogste waarskynlikheid) behoort. Die vasstelling van groei ratios dui aan dat dit naasteby ooreenstem met Dyar se reel en dus die moontlikheid van 'n versteekte stadium betwis. Maar in die meeste gevalle stem die veldmonsters nie ooreen met Dyar se reel nie. Die feit dat die morfometriese benadering die verrnoe het om larwale monsters met oorvleuelende morfologiese kenmerke, beteken dat dit kwalifiseer as In instrument om tussen die larwe stadiums van C. capitata en C. rosa te onderskei. Baie min C. rosa is in vrugteboorde en in nabygelee wingerde gevind. Dit dui of dat die plaag nie 'n bedreiging vir die vrugte inhou nie, of dat die monitor prosedures hersien moet word. Lokvalle dui aan dat daar 'n hoe vlak van infestasie van C. capitata in sommige gebeide is en In lae vlak in ander. Op die plek met die hoogste bevolking van vrugtevliee het die aktiwiteit in die boorde nie ooreengestem met die aktiwiteit in die nabygelee wingerde nie. Dit dui aan dat hierdie wingerde 'n alternatiewe blyplek bied aan die vrugtevliee nadat die vrugte in die boorde geoes is. Gedwonge oviposisie studies dui aan dat C. capitata die beste kan oorleef in Colombard (gekweek te Simonsvlei). Ander wyndruif kultivars is ook geskik vir die ontwikkeling tot by die laaste larwe stadium van C. capitata.

No description available.

In this work, I seek to model swarms of fruit flies, drosophila melanogaster, whose flights are characterized by straight flight segments interrupted by rapid turns called saccades. These flights are reminiscent of Levy-distributed random walks which are known to lead to efficient search behavior. I build two types of model for swarms of foraging fruit flies, whose behavior depends on swarm density and chemoattractant concentration, using rules inspired by experimentally observed flight patterns. First I will present a Lagrangian model where the path of each individual fly is tracked. I will also consider an Eulerian model where the fruit fly density evolves as a function of time and position in space. I will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the two models and the relationship between them.

Not available / text

No description available.

Diachasmimorpha kraussii (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Opiinae) is a koinobiont larval parasitoid of dacine fruit flies of the genus Bactrocera (Diptera: Tephritidae) in its native range (Australia, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands). The wasp is a potentially important control agent for pest fruit flies, having been considered for both classical and inundative biological control releases. I investigated the host searching, selection and utilisation mechanisms of the wasp against native host flies within its native range (Australia). Such studies are rare in opiine research where the majority of studies, because of the applied nature of the research, have been carried out using host flies and environments which are novel to the wasps. Diachasmimorpha kraussii oviposited equally into maggots of four fruit fly species, all of which coexist with the wasp in its native range (Australia), when tested in a choice trial using a uniform artificial diet media. While eggs laid into Bactrocera tryoni and B. jarvisi developed successfully through to adult wasps, eggs laid into B. cucumis and B. cacuminata were encapsulated. These results suggest that direct larval cues are not an important element in host selection by D. kraussii. Further exploring how D. kraussii locates suitable host larvae, I investigated the role of plant cues in host searching and selection. This was examined in a laboratory choice trial using uninfested fruit or fruit infested with either B. tryoni or B. jarvisi maggots. The results showed a consistent preference ranking among infested fruits by the wasp, with guava and peach most preferred, but with no response to uninfested fruits. Thus, it appears the wasp uses chemical cues emitted in response to fruit fly larval infestation for host location, but does not use cues from uninfested fruits. To further tease apart the role of (i) suitable and non-suitable maggots, (ii) infested and uninfested fruits of different plant species, and (iii) adult flies, in wasp host location and selection, I carried out a series of behavioural tests where I manipulated these attributes in a field cage. These trials confirmed that D. kraussii did not respond to cues in uninfested fruits, that there were consistent preferences by the wasps for different maggot infested fruits, that fruit preference did not vary depending on whether the maggots were physiologically suitable or not suitable for wasp offspring development, and finally, that adult flies appear to play a secondary role as indicators of larval infestation. To investigate wasp behaviour in an unrestrained environment, I concurrently observed diurnal foraging behaviours of both the wasp and one of its host fly in a small nectarine orchard. Wasp behaviour, both spatially and temporally, was not correlated with adult fruit fly behaviour or abundance. This study reinforced the point that infested fruit seems to be the primary cue used by foraging wasps. Wasp and fly feeding and mating was not observed in the orchard, implying these activities are occurring elsewhere. It is highly unlikely that these behaviours were happening within the orchard during the night as both insects are diurnal. As the final component of investigating host location, I carried out a habitat preference study for the wasp at the landscape scale. Using infested sentinel fruits, I tested the parasitism rate of B. tryoni in eucalyptus sclerophyll forest, rainforest and suburbia in South East Queensland. Although, rainforest is the likely endemic habitat of both B. tryoni and D. kraussii, B. tryoni abundance is significantly greater in suburban environments followed by eucalyptus sclerophyll forest. Parasitism rate was found to be higher in suburbia than in the eucalyptus sclerophyll forest, while no parasitism was recorded in the rainforest. This result suggests that wasps orient within the landscape towards areas of high host density and are not restricted by habitat types. Results from the different experiments suggest that host searching, selection and utilisation behaviour of D. kraussii are strongly influenced by cues associated with fruit fly larval feeding. Cues from uninfested fruits, the host larvae themselves, and the adult host flies play minimal roles. The discussion focuses on the fit of D. kraussii to Vinson’s classical parasitoid host location model and the implications of results for biological control, including recommendations for host and plant preference screening protocols and release regimes.

Thesis (M.S.)--Brigham Young University. Dept. of Chemistry and Biochemistry, 2008. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 93-97).