Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 29, 2025

Author Spotlight: Sieving Fruit Pulp to Detect Immature Tephritid Fruit Flies in the Field
Published on: July 28, 2023
Contrast sensitivity and visual acuity of Queensland fruit flies (Bactrocera tryoni)
Kiaran K K Lawson1, Mandyam V Srinivasan2,3
1Queensland Brain Institute, University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD, 4072, Australia. k.lawson1@uq.edu.au.
Abstract:
This study examines the visual acuity of Queensland fruit flies (Bactrocera tryoni) by analysing their turning responses to an immersive visual stimulus consisting of a pattern of vertical stripes presented at various angular periods and rotational rates. The results infer that these flies possess an interommatidial angle of approximately [Formula: see text], and an ommatidial acceptance angle of approximately [Formula: see text]. This suggests that the visual acuity of Queensland fruit flies is substantially better than that of the classical vinegar fly (Drosophila melanogaster), and is comparable to those of the housefly (Musca domestica) and the honeybee (Apis mellifera). The contrast sensitivity of Queensland fruit flies is comparable to that of the housefly.

