Host Preferences Shown by Drosophilids (Diptera) in a Commercial Fruit and Vegetable Distribution Center Follow the Wild Neotropical Pattern

Although drosophilids have been extensively studied in laboratories worldwide, their ecology is still relatively poorly understood. This is unfortunate because some species are currently expanding their geographic distribution and infesting fruit crops. Here, we investigated the relationship between...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Insects (Basel, Switzerland) Switzerland), 2023-04, Vol.14 (4), p.375
Main Authors: Ribeiro, Laís Barbosa, Proença, Carolyn Elinore Barnes, Tidon, Rosana
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Behavior
Biodiversity
Biological research
Biology, Experimental
breeding site
Crops
Diptera
Diseases and pests
Dispersion
Distribution
Distribution centers
Drosophila
Ecosystems
Flowers & plants
Fruit
Fruit crops
Fruit flies
fruit markets
Fruits
Geographical distribution
Homogenization
Host plants
Host preferences
Insect-plant relationships
Insects
Introduced species
invasive species
Laboratories
Natural vegetation
niche breath
Plants (botany)
Species extinction
Taxa
urban ecology
Vegetables
Vegetation
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Summary:Although drosophilids have been extensively studied in laboratories worldwide, their ecology is still relatively poorly understood. This is unfortunate because some species are currently expanding their geographic distribution and infesting fruit crops. Here, we investigated the relationship between drosophilids and potential plant hosts in a commercial fruit and vegetable distribution center in the Neotropical region. We collected discarded fruits and vegetables from this commercial center during two time periods (2007-2008 and 2017-2018). Resources were weighted and individually monitored in the laboratory. The drosophilids that emerged were identified, and the relationship between them and their resources was explored. From the 99,478 kg of potential hosts collected, we identified 48 plant taxa, from which 48,894 drosophilids of 16 species emerged. On both collecting occasions, drosophilid assemblages were strongly dominated by basically the same exotic species, which explore a broader range of resources, especially those of exotic origin, when compared to neotropical drosophilids. These results are concerning because the studied site, Along with other urban markets around the world, might be acting as sources of generalist widespread species that disperse to surrounding natural vegetation and contribute to biotic homogenization.
ISSN:2075-4450
2075-4450
DOI:10.3390/insects14040375