Abstract
Males of Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel) (Diptera: Tephritidae) are strongly attracted to methyl eugenol (ME) (1,2-dimethoxy-4-(2-propenyl)benzene), a phenylpropanoid compound occurring in many plant species. Feeding on ME is known to enhance male B. dorsalis mating competitiveness, which can increase the effectiveness of the sterile insect technique (SIT) manifold. However, currently used systems for holding the mass-reared males in fly emergence and release facilities before release, do not allow for application of ME through feeding. Therefore, the current study was designed to evaluate different delivery systems of ME that would be applicable for large-scale application to sterile males held in such facilities. Males of a genetic sexing strain (GSS) of B. dorsalis treated by ME-aromatherapy or ME-airblown-aromatherapy that were competing with ME-fed males achieved a similar level of mating success in walk-in field cages, but the mating success was significantly higher when compared to untreated males. The results confirm the feasibility of developing ME-airblown-aromatherapy as a practical way of large scale ME delivery to enhance the mating competitiveness of sterile B. dorsalis males.
Highlights
Males of Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel) (Diptera: Tephritidae) are strongly attracted to methyl eugenol (ME) (1,2-dimethoxy-4-(2-propenyl)benzene), a phenylpropanoid compound occurring in many plant species
ME feeding is known to enhance mating success of males of several Bactrocera species, including B. dorsalis[6] and after feeding, ME is enzymatically transformed into other metabolites which are released in the male pheromone[27,39,40]
Bactrocera dorsalis males exposed to ME but with restricted contact (ME covered by a screen mesh) had no mating advantage according to Shelly and Dewire[25]
Summary
Males of Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel) (Diptera: Tephritidae) are strongly attracted to methyl eugenol (ME) (1,2-dimethoxy-4-(2-propenyl)benzene), a phenylpropanoid compound occurring in many plant species. Despite the effect of ME on male mating performance across Bactrocera species[26,27,28] and its potential to increase the cost-effectiveness of the SIT, its operational use in fly emergence and release facilities has so far been limited due to the lack of a logistically practicable system to deliver ME to mass-reared sterile males before their release in the field. The common methods used for large-scale emergence and holding of sterile fruit flies prior to field releases[29,30,31] do not allow the feeding of ME to millions of adult flies after their emergence. There is a need to develop simple methods of exposing sterile males to ME in fly emergence and release facilities that are compatible with current emergence and holding conditions
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
