Attraction ofRhagoletis pomonella(Diptera: Tephritidae) Flies to Odor of Bacteria: Apparent Confinement to Specialized Members of Enterobacteriaceae

Abstract

Dominant species of bacteria isolated from leaves and fruit of pesticide-free MacIntosh apple trees, and chicken and barn swallow feces, were tested for attractancy to apple maggot flies, Rhagoletis pomonella (Walsh). The flies demonstrated a distinct preference for odor emitted by certain members of the Enterobacteriaceae but not for odor emitted by certain members of the Streptococcaceae or Pseudomonadales. Both attractive and nonattractive strains of Enterobacter agglomerans were obtained, suggesting intraspecific variation in attractiveness.