Boundary Conditions for Drosophila Resource Utilization in Temperate Regions, Especially at Low Temperatures

Abstract

In contrast with the enormous variety of resources used by breeding and feeding Drosophila, the physical limitations imposed by the environment are much uniform across the genus. There is one boundary condition in Australian temperate-region Drosophila species at about 12.degree. C below which flies are inactive, do not mate, do not oviposit and cannot be found in the wild using common Drosophila collecting techniques. In tropical species this lower boundary conditions may be higher. The upper boundary condition is more variable but is in the 20.degree.-30.degree. range with humidity interactions. This condition is more restrictive in Australia Drosophila than Australian Scaptomyza, which are found near more stressful conditions.