Abstract
ABSTRACT: The objective of the present study was to evaluate the ratio of Ceratitis capitata larvae/female of Diachasmimorpha longicaudata that results in the increase of parasitism and the production of females in the progeny. We used 8-day-old copulated D. longicaudata females with oviposition parasite experience and third instar larvae of C. capitata from rearing stock maintained at the Laboratory of Biological Control of Universidade Estadual de Montes Claros (Unimontes). Five densities of C. capitata larvae (10, 20, 30, 40, and 50) were offered to parasitoid females that were at five different densities (1, 2, 5, 10, and 15). The larvae were exposed to the parasitoid females by means of “parasitism units” in adapted cages for 1 hour. Sex ratio, percentage of parasitism, and pupal mortality were evaluated. Both host larval density and female parasite density influenced parasitism, female progeny production, and pupal mortality. Higher female production was observed in the progeny in ratios of 1:1 and 2:1 (larvae/females). Ratios above 1:2 reduced the sex ratio, and ratios below 1:1 caused high pupal mortality rates. The females had higher parasitism activity when they were in groups dividing the same space. Equal ratios of Ceratitis capitata larvae and parasitoid females resulted in improved efficiency in progeny females.
Highlights
Diachasmimorpha longicaudata (Ashmead) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) is one of the most important parasitoid species for the biological control of fruit flies
The results observed for the densities of one and two parasitoid females (Table 1) are in accordance with the Local Mate Competition Theory (LMC), proposed by HAMILTON (1967)
The results obtained for the higher female densities and lower larval densities offered in the present study were contrary to the LMC theory, i.e., in the presence of a very high number of females, the progeny sex ratio tended to increase
Summary
Diachasmimorpha longicaudata (Ashmead) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) is one of the most important parasitoid species for the biological control of fruit flies. The prominence of this species is attributed to its rapid adaptation to the media in which it is released, its great affinity with Tephritidae, and the ease of rearing it in the laboratory (GARCIA; RICALDE, 2012). The success of D. longicaudata as a control agent depends on its parasitism efficiency, and the quality and quantity of parasitoid females produced and released in the area to be controlled. The density of the host can influence the sex ratio, as lower densities of larvae might stimulate parasitism (DIAZ‐FLEISCHER et al, 2015)
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