Abstract
Simple SummarySignificant advances in the domestication and artificial rearing techniques for the South American fruit fly, Anastrepha fraterculus (Diptera, Tephritidae), have been achieved since the FAO/IAEA Workshop held in 1996 in Chile. Despite the availability of rearing protocols that allow the production of a high number of flies, they must be optimized to increase insect yields and decrease production costs. In addition, evidence of sexual incompatibility between a long-term mass-reared Brazilian strain and wild populations has been found. To address these issues, this study refined rearing protocols and assessed the suitability of a bisexual A. fraterculus strain established from a target population in southern Brazil for the mass production of sterile flies.The existing rearing protocols for Anastrepha fraterculus must be reviewed to make economically viable the production of sterile flies for their area-wide application. Additionally, evidence of sexual incompatibility between a long-term mass-reared Brazilian strain and wild populations has been found. To address these issues, this study aimed to refine rearing protocols and to assess the suitability of an A. fraterculus strain for the mass production of sterile flies. A series of bioassays were carried out to evaluate incubation times for eggs in a bubbling bath and to assess the temporal variation of egg production from ovipositing cages at different adult densities. A novel larval diet containing carrageenan was also evaluated. Egg incubation times higher than 48 h in water at 25 °C showed reduced larval and pupal yields. Based on egg production and hatchability, the density of 0.3 flies/cm2 can be recommended for adult cages. The diet with carrageenan was suitable for mass production at egg-seeding densities between 1.0 and 1.5 mL of eggs/kg of diet, providing higher insect yields than a corn-based diet from Embrapa. Even after two years of being reared under the new rearing protocols, no sexual isolation was found between the bisexual strain and wild flies.
Highlights
The genus Anastrepha includes more than 300 species of fruit flies, and at least a half dozen of them are pests of native and exotic host plants in Latin America [1,2,3]
To know if a new A. fraterculus strain originating from the target southern population would be suitable for mass production of sterile flies, this study aimed to answer the following questions: (1) What is the best incubation time for eggs of the strain in a bubbling thermal bath system? (2) What is the temporal variation of egg production from ovipositing cages with different adult densities? (3) What is the suitable egg-seeding density in a larval diet with carrageenan? (4) Of the two larval diets used to rear A. fraterculus in Brazil, which one would be best for mass-rearing purposes? (5) After 24 generations under laboratory conditions, would sterile flies of the new strain be compatible with wild flies from the target population?
The colony of this bisexual strain was maintained under controlled environmental conditions (26 ± 2 ◦C and 70–80% RH) following the rearing protocol of Walder et al [17] with the following modifications: the use of larger adult cages (75 cm length × 30 cm width × 150 cm height) and a modified larval diet of Salles [32] replacing wheat germ with yellow corn flour and using carrageenan instead of agar
Summary
The genus Anastrepha includes more than 300 species of fruit flies, and at least a half dozen of them are pests of native and exotic host plants in Latin America [1,2,3]. The South American fruit fly, Anastrepha fraterculus, has primary pest status in several South American countries, including in Brazil [1]. In São Paulo state, A. fraterculus is the major fruit fly pest in citrus, and losses in unsprayed orchards can reach up to 25–50% of the total production [4]. The dropping rate of oranges caused by fruit fly species in the. In southern Brazil, the fly can cause a reduction in apple and peach production by 30–40% or more [6,7]. A. fraterculus is considered the main pest infesting table grapes [8]
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