Short range communication in Drosophila suzukii

Abstract: We describe a short range mating behaviour of Drosophila suzukii with particular emphasis on the sound communication. A double approach for signal recording was adopted: a prepolarized microphone for air-borne signals and a laser vibrometer for substrate-borne signals. Males and females were inserted into a recording arena and audio/video was recorded throughout the mating process. The analyses of collected data revealed the common use of several acoustic signals by males from the first approach to the final copula. Some of these signals are clearly substrate-borne and are produced by abdominal vibrations. During the courtship males combine wing exposure with sound emission so that visual and acoustic cues work together to increase female acceptance. No female signals were ever detected.