FLIGHTLESS MUTANTS IN THE MELON FLY AND ORIENTAL FRUIT-FLY (DIPTERA, TEPHRITIDAE) AND THEIR POSSIBLE ROLE IN THE STERILE INSECT RELEASE METHOD

Two new mutants that affect adult wing morphology and render the flies incapable of flight-bubble wing (bw) in the melon fly, Bactrocera cucurbitae (Coquillett), and small wing (sw) in the oriental fruit fly, Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel)-are described. Both mutants have variable expression and are caused by autosomal, recessive genes. We discuss the possible role of these alleles in constructing genetic sex sorting systems to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the sterile insect release method.