[Aim] We investigated the temporal and spatial expression profiles of sulfakinin in Bactrocera dorsalis, as well as its response to starvation stress, to elucidate its vital functions in this fly's physiology and behavior.[Method] The cDNA of the B. dorsalis sulfakinin (Bacsulfakinin) was cloned by RT-PCR. QRT-PCR (real-time quantitative PCR)was employed to determine its expression patterns in different developmental stages, different tissues as well as the corresponding expression profiles under the stress of starvation. All the QRT-PCR results were further confirmed by semi-quantitative RT-PCR.[Result] QRT-PCR results indicated that sulfakinin was highly expressed in larvae, early adults and late-adults, while has little expression in the eggs and pupae. The expression of sulfakinin was highest in early adults, which was about twice as in late adults, and the expression level of sulfakinin in larvae was between the early adults and late-adults. The expression of sulfakinin was remarkably higher in the CNS (Central Nervous System) than in other tissues in both larvae and adults. Interestingly, the expression of sulfakinin was expressed the highest in the antennae. In addition, in the process of starvation for 24 h, the expression of sulfakinin decreased at all three time points tested which induced the fruit fly without food and water for 6, 12 and 24 hours. The expression level of sulfakinin decreased the most by 6 h from the starvation stress results.[Conclusion] Sulfakinin is possibly modulating the response of the oriental fruit fly upon starvation. The high expression level of sulfakinin in antenna may be related to olfactory sensitivity of the oriental fruit fly. This study laid a solid foundation for future studies of the physiological functions and assessment of target potential for sulfakinin.