Choice of oviposition site between surface of the medium and paper in four Indian species of Drosophila.

ABSTRACT

Choice of oviposition site between surface of the medium and paper positioned vertically on the medium by females was studied in four species of Drosophila D. ananassae, D. bipectinata, D. malerkotliana, and D. biarmipes. Several geographic strains of these species were used. Females of all the four species laid greater proportions of eggs on the surface of medium as compared to surface of the paper. Thus all the four species tested show preference for oviposition on surface of medium. When the comparison is made for oviposition on paper among the four species, D. ananassae lays more eggs on the surface of paper as compared to other three species.