Adaptive behaviour of Drosophila adults in relation to temperature and humidity

Abstract

The reactions of three Drosophila species (D. melanogaster, D. simulans and D. immigrans) were studied in a temperature gradient at different humidities. In a saturation-deficit gradient all three species showed adaptive behaviour which could be related to their physiological resistance to desiccation. This is taken as experimental evidence for similar avoidance of stressful conditions in the field.