Mediterranean fruit fly Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann) management strategies and recent advances: a review

Abstract

The Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann), is a destructive pest that causes significant damage worldwide. Because of import limitations, this Diptera and Tephritidae insect impedes raw agricultural commodities. Commonly, insecticides are applied through cover sprays. Despite their effectiveness, some of these compounds are prohibited in importing jurisdictions owing to environmental and public health concerns. Biological control started with new natural enemies such as wasps, mites, parasitoids, pathogenic fungi, bacteria, and nematodes. Recently, research has focused on finding new options and efficient solutions, notably on the genetic and post-genetic signals of sterilization and sexing of wild types to obtain specific strains for area-wide Integrated Pest Management (IPM) programs. Attempts are also being made to deploy innovative technologies for monitoring and managing this pest. Ceratitis capitata’s whole genome sequence was recently deciphered. Its editing is another supplement to improve female-to-male conversion and, thus, the performance of reared insects to promote the Sterile Insect Technique (SIT). This review looks at significant progress in physical and biological control, eco-friendly and quarantine solutions, and next-generation technologies for managing the medfly pest, with a particular emphasis on the Mediterranean region.