Permalink : http://hdl.handle.net/2115/45190

This paper reviews the courtship behaviour of Drosophila, focusing on courtship songs and types and patterns of sounds in a variety of species with regard to phylogeny. Courtship song is one of the most important signals from males to females during courtship. In most species, males emit one or two types of courtship song, such as a pulse song and a sine song. Some species produce two types of pulse songs, some a pulse song and a sine song, and others a pulse song but no sine song. In the montium species subgroup of the Drosophila (Sophophora) melanogaster species group, copulatory courtship songs are reported; some species produce before and after mounting but others only after mounting. In the Drosophila (Drosophila) virilis species group and Zaprionus, both sexes produce songs. Breeding sites, sex pheromones and other courtship signals are also examined. Mate recognition in relation to the role of courtship elements are discussed from an evolutionary point of view.