In situ sexual competition between sterile males of the genetic sexing Tapachula-7 strain and wild Anastrepha ludens flies

Abstract

The Mexican fruit fly Anastrepha ludens (Loew) (Diptera: Tephritidae) attacks a wide variety of economically important hosts such as mango and citrus fruits. For this reason, the Mexican government has established an integrated pest management program based on the sterile insect technique (SIT). The Moscafrut Program, located in Metapa de Domínguez, Chiapas, Mexico, developed a genetic sexing strain of A. ludens known as Tapachula-7. This strain is distinctly characterized by the coloration of the puparium, which makes it possible to separate males (brown puparia) from females (mutant black puparia). It has been shown that the efficiency of SIT increases by releasing only males obtained through genetic sexing strains. Our objective here was to evaluate in field cages the sexual competitiveness and sterility induction of Tapachula-7 sterile males with in situ wild populations. The results of the study indicated that Tapachula-7 males were competitive and induce sterility in populations of in situ wild flies. Our results support the utilization of this strain in control programs that apply the SIT.