MATING BEHAVIOR OF <i>RHAGOLETIS POMONELLA</i> (DIPTERA: TEPHRITIDAE) VI. SITE OF EARLY-SEASON ENCOUNTERS

Abstract

Abstract Field observations of Rhagoletis pomonella (Walsh) adults on apple and hawthorn trees revealed that mating encounters occur on leaves in early-season and shift to fruit with the onset of oviposition. Most matings on leaves are initiated from a male frontal approach to the female and most of those on fruit from a rear approach while the female is engaged in some phase of oviposition behavior. This suggests that matings on fruit may be forced matings with unreceptive females.