Juvenile hormone regulation on the flight capability of Bactrocera dorsalis (Diptera: Tephritidae)

The oriental fruit fly, Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel) (Diptera: Tephritidae), is considered a major economic threat in many regions worldwide. In order to better understand the flight capacity of B. dorsalis and its physiological basis, the functions and regulatory roles of juvenile hormone (JH) in the flight muscle of B. dorsalis were studied under a controlled environment. JH titer of B. dorsalis varied with age and sex. Females, irrespective of age, have higher JH than males for ovarian development and maturation in addition to better flight capabilities. The flight duration and distance of both males and females increased with the gradual increase of JH titer after adult emergences. JH titer peaked in 15-d-old adult and declined subsequently with age. Flight activity stimulated the production of JH as adults flown for 24 hours on the flight mills have the highest JH titers compare to adults tethered on shorter flight durations. Furthermore, JH III-treated adults were able to perform long-duration and long-distance flights. The mutual reinforcement of JH and flight activity provides fundamental understanding on the physiological aspects of the flight capability and dispersal, which facilitates strategies for the long-term control of this destructive pest.