Predictability of preference from acceptance: influence of visual and olfactory stimuli in the Mediterranean fruit fly

Oviposition behavior in phytophagous insects is influenced by different stimuli and plays a key role in pest dynamics and crop loss. This study used 3D-printed artificial fruits varying in colour (yellow, blue, white) and odour (cherry, orange, banana) to test how visual and olfactory cues affect oviposition acceptance (no-choice) and preference (choice). In no-choice assays, the nine artificial fruits displayed sufficiently different visual and olfactory cues to trigger different egg-laying outputs (by a factor 1:3 between the two extreme fruits). While cues acted independently in no-choice settings, significant interactions were observed in choice conditions, highlighting multimodal sensory integration. In choice assays, the number of eggs laid and female preference depended on both the characteristics of fruits and their context. However a strong correlation was found between acceptance and preference and oviposition preference can, to a large extent, be predicted from acceptance behavior. The relationship found between acceptance and preference implied that when a fruit seemed preferred in no-choice assays, it was even more preferred in one-choice assays. We finally discussed the practical implications for behavior-based pest management strategies.