Abstract
Sterile insect technique (SIT) is an environmentally benign pest management technique that involves releasing millions of sterile insects to suppress reproduction of pest populations. Many fruit flies, including Queensland fruit fly (Bactrocera tryoni Froggatt, ‘Q-fly’), have long adult maturation periods such that pre-maturation mortality can greatly reduce abundance of sexually active sterile males and impede SIT efficacy. Q-fly is the most difficult and costly challenge to market access for Australia’s horticulture industries, and has been targeted for intensive use of SIT program. We here demonstrate potential of pre-release caffeine supplements as a novel means to accelerate sexual maturation in male Q-fly. In mating trials, analytical caffeine was very effective at accelerating sexual maturation, while no positive effects of caffeine-containing instant coffee or guarana supplements were detected. In parallel, development of testes and ejaculatory apodemes was accelerated in males provided analytical caffeine but not instant coffee or guarana. High doses of guarana and instant coffee reduced longevity while even the highest doses of analytical caffeine did not affect longevity. Pre-release caffeine supplements promote sexual maturation in Q-flies, and similar benefits are expected in other fruit flies having long adult maturation periods.
Highlights
Sterile insect technique (SIT) is an environmentally benign pest management technique that involves releasing millions of sterile insects to suppress reproduction of pest populations
The finding that a compound known to be effective as a stimulant in mature adult Q-flies accelerates development of immature adult Q-flies raises the possibility that other stimulants might accelerate development of fruit flies released in SIT programs
In the present study we investigate whether sexual maturation of male Q-flies is accelerated by caffeine supplements from three different sources—analytical caffeine, guarana powder, and instant coffee incorporated into the adult diet for two days following adult emergence
Summary
Sterile insect technique (SIT) is an environmentally benign pest management technique that involves releasing millions of sterile insects to suppress reproduction of pest populations. Many fruit flies, including Queensland fruit fly (Bactrocera tryoni Froggatt, ‘Q-fly’), have long adult maturation periods such that pre-maturation mortality can greatly reduce abundance of sexually active sterile males and impede SIT efficacy. When provided for even a 1–2 day pre-release period in SIT programs, YH and sugar effectively sustain development of male Q-flies over the following days[22,23], increasing the prevalence of mature sterile flies in the field[24]. Other pre-release treatments have been explored for their effects on sexual performance of already mature fruit flies, especially plant semiocmicals such as methyl eugenol to which males of some species are attracted and from which they gain substantial sexual benefits[40,41,42,43,44,45,46,47]. The finding that a compound known to be effective as a stimulant in mature adult Q-flies accelerates development of immature adult Q-flies raises the possibility that other stimulants might accelerate development of fruit flies released in SIT programs
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