Queensland Fruit Fly

Appearance

Adult ''B. tyroni'' flies are reddish brown in color, have distinct yellow markings and are typically 5–8 mm in length. Adults hold their wings horizontally when walking and flick them in a specific, characteristic manner. The wingspan of ''B. tyroni'' ranges from 4.8 to 6.3 mm. ''B. tyroni'' may be mistaken for wasps as they appear wasp-like.

Distribution

''B. tyroni'' prefer humid and warm climates. Thus, they are most widespread in eastern Australia, as well as New Caledonia, French Polynesia, the Pitcairn Islands, and the Cook Islands. Commercial fruit production has increased in Australia, leading to an increased geographical area in which ''B. tyroni'' can reside, extending as far inland as central Queensland and New South Wales. Occasionally, there are outbreaks of ''B. tyroni'' in southern and western Australia; however, the coastal areas of Australia are relatively isolated from one another due to harsh, dry weather conditions in intervening regions that are unsuitable for ''B. tyroni''. Therefore, other regions of Australia typically remain free of this pest as long as infected fruit is not transported between regions.

Behavior

Larvae feed only on the flesh of fruit until they mature into adulthood. Adult flies, however, rely on leaf surface bacteria as a major source of protein. There is some evidence suggesting that the bacteria and flies co-evolved, but other data suggest that this symbiosis does not occur as the presence of protein-providing bacteria is not consistent throughout ''B. tyroni'' populations. Due to this dependence on protein originating from bacteria, it is possible to control the population by providing flies with artificial protein mixed with insecticide.''B. tyroni'' flies mate at dusk. This is pertinent to control efforts because it is one of the few characteristics that distinguish it from sister species, ''B. neohumeralis,'' which are not a highly destructive species, even though the two are very closely related genetically and evolutionarily.''B. tyroni'' lay their eggs in fruit. Females prefer to lay their eggs in fruit that is sweet, juicy, and not acidic. The presence of other female flies in pre- or post- oviposition on a piece of fruit was found to have no bearing on another female's likeliness to land on the fruit; however, female flies were more likely to bore into a piece of fruit that other female flies were currently ovipositing into, therefore increasing the density of larvae within a single piece of fruit. This is an example of reciprocal altruism as larvae are at an advantage at higher densities.

Habitat

''B. tyroni'' prefer humid and warm climates. Thus, they are most widespread in eastern Australia, as well as New Caledonia, French Polynesia, the Pitcairn Islands, and the Cook Islands. Commercial fruit production has increased in Australia, leading to an increased geographical area in which ''B. tyroni'' can reside, extending as far inland as central Queensland and New South Wales. Occasionally, there are outbreaks of ''B. tyroni'' in southern and western Australia; however, the coastal areas of Australia are relatively isolated from one another due to harsh, dry weather conditions in intervening regions that are unsuitable for ''B. tyroni''. Therefore, other regions of Australia typically remain free of this pest as long as infected fruit is not transported between regions.

Food

Larvae feed only on the flesh of fruit until they mature into adulthood. Adult flies, however, rely on leaf surface bacteria as a major source of protein. There is some evidence suggesting that the bacteria and flies co-evolved, but other data suggest that this symbiosis does not occur as the presence of protein-providing bacteria is not consistent throughout ''B. tyroni'' populations. Due to this dependence on protein originating from bacteria, it is possible to control the population by providing flies with artificial protein mixed with insecticide.