Wingbeat Frequency in Small and Large-sized Fruit Fly, Drosophila melanogaster, in Eastern Uttar Pradesh, India

Abstract

Drosophila melanogaster was evaluated for wingbeat frequencies based on its general body size.  Apart from the critical role of flight in foraging, competing for a mate and evading predators, its flight tone is crucial in intraspecific auditory communication. The average wing beat frequencies during free flight of local Drosophila melanogaster was found to range from 215.63 ±5.26 to 261.20 ±6.53 Hz, from the smallest to large-sized flies respectively. The significant difference in wingbeat frequency between the two groups is due to the distinct differences in wing size and body weight. Variations seen within the group is a function of several factors like insect body weight, wing dimensions, age, metabolic status, locomotory requirements and ambient climatic conditions.