Host marking pheromone ofRhagoletis cerasi: Foraging behavior in response to synthetic pheromonal isomers

We studied the foraging behavior ofRhagoletis cerasi females in trees treated with synthetic cherry fruit fly host marking pheromone (HMP) under seminatural conditions (potted trees enclosed in a screen cage). Results show that synthetic HMP (particularly the 8RS-@#@ 15R isomer configuration (racemic mixture)) was highly effective in eliciting behavioral responses similar to those reported in studies using natural HMP. Flies exposed to synthetic pheromone exhibited short tree residence times (i.e., emigrated faster), increased flight frequency rates (measured as number of alightings per/minute), higher irritation indices while on a tree or a fruit, and oviposited fewer eggs per fruit visit than flies exposed to clean trees and fruit (not treated with synthetic HMP). Furthermore, we provide evidence showing that when flies were continuously exposed to an HMP-saturated environment, they exhibited an increased tendency to lay eggs in marked fruit.