An analysis of crop sugars in the Oriental fruit fly, Dacus dorsalis Hendel (Diptera: Tephritidae), in Hawaii, and correlation with possible food sources.
Chang F., Winters R. N., Vargas R. I., Montgomery S. L., Takara J. M.
Author Affiliation: Hawaii University, Honolulu, USA.
Proceedings of the Hawaiian Entomological Society 22 : 461-468
Abstract : A qualitative chemical analysis by gas chromatography of the sugars present in the crops of adult males of Dacus dorsalis Hend. captured at different places on Oahu, Hawaii, was made in 1976, and the data were used in an attempt to correlate the sugar profile with that from juices and sap of selected fruits found at the site of fly capture. The fruits included guava, mango, pomegranate, papaya and Surinam cherry (Eugenia uniflora). There were differences for flies from different places, but no clear correlation was found between the insect crop contents and the fruits that were available as food there. It is suggested that honeydew may be a primary source of food for fruit-flies.