| Abstract: | We confirm the existence of oviposition-deterring, fruit-marking pheromones inRhagoletis pomonella andR. fausta and demonstrate their existence in five additional species:R. cingulata, R. indifferens, R. mendax, R. cornivora andR. tabellaria. Individuals from (1) different species belonging to different species groups did not recognize each other's marking pheromones,
(2) different species within the same species group varied in reaction from complete to no cross-recognition, (3) different
wild populations of the same species always recognized each other's marking pheromones, and (4) a laboratory population ofR. pomonella cultured on apples for ca. fifteen generations deposited a marking pheromone less deterrent to oviposition than that from
a wild population. Finally, the watersoluble marking pheromones ofR. indifferens andR. cornivora proved effective deterrents to oviposition when collected and reapplied in aqueous solution to uninfested fruit in laboratory
cages. |
