Effect of short-term suboptimal temperature storage to assist large-scale production of two dipterans: Exorista larvarum (L.) and Bactrocera tryoni (Froggatt)

Abstract

Efficient rearing techniques providing high-quality insects are essential for pest control strategies entailing mass rearing and release in field, such as augmentative biological control and Sterile Insect Technique (SIT). Storage at suboptimal temperatures is a valuable procedure for prolonging the developmental time of insects and thus increasing the efficiency of insect rearing. The advantages that this procedure offers include a more flexible rearing schedule, the possibility to overcome periods of low production and the synchronization of field releases during pest outbreaks. Methods for storage of two model fly species, Exorista larvarum (L.) (Diptera: Tachinidae) and Bactrocera tryoni (Froggatt) (Diptera: Tephritidae), were studied in the present thesis by investigating the best conditions for an efficient storage and the consequences for fly quality.