Abstract
Citrus agro-industry is globally harshened mainly by Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann), the most worldwide destructive tephritid fruit fly species. Citrus agro-industry is one of the pillars of Tunisia economy, and by hence, harshened by this species. Tunisia has established an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) programme against citrus pests, including C. capitata, that rely on the structured use of pesticides, on the application several trapping protocols, along with pilot-scale sterile insect technique program and, since 2013, with pilot-scale releases of the braconid parasitoid Diachasmimorpha longicaudata Ashmed (Hymenoptera: Braconidae). Insecticide side-effects on parasitoids and other natural enemies are being requested for a successful implementation of biological control within any IPM programme. However, these data are almost scarce for the braconid species D. longicaudata. To this end, we have determined the side-effects of malathion, methidathion, acetamiprid, azadiractin, abamectin, deltametrin+thiacloprid and spinosad, as the most popular insecticides used in Tunisia either as fresh residues or at several aged time points, on the parasitoid D. longicaudata according the IOBC pesticide harm-classification. IOBC classification evolution of residues over time had allowed determining the best combination of pesticide applications in a structured fashion with the viable releases of D. longicaudata for the control of C. capitata in Tunisian citrus agro-ecosystems.
Highlights
In Tunisia, citrus cultivation is an important agricultural sector that covers about 21,000 hectares with 6.4 million trees which represent 0.3% of the total useful agricultural area and 3.4% of total fruit crop area
We have determined the side-effects of malathion, methidathion, acetamiprid, azadiractin, abamectin, deltametrin+thiacloprid and spinosad, as the most popular insecticides used in Tunisia either as fresh residues or at several aged time points, on the parasitoid D. longicaudata according the IOBC pesticide harm-classification
Malathion and methidathion belong to the same organophosphate chemical family but with differentiated mode of action (Table 1). These insecticides have been recently banned from the European Union (OJEU, 2015) by their human health concerns (Flessel et al, 1993; Marty et al, 1994) and their harmful effects on nontarget arthropods (Ehler & Endicott, 1984; Urbaneja et al, 2009) which lead in some cases to outbreaks of secondary agricultural pests that were under control of natural enemies
Summary
In Tunisia, citrus cultivation is an important agricultural sector that covers about 21,000 hectares with 6.4 million trees which represent 0.3% of the total useful agricultural area and 3.4% of total fruit crop area. One of the key tephritid fruit fly species that is threatening the Tunisian citrus agro-industry is Ceratitis capitata Wiedemann, commonly known as the Mediterranean fruit fly or medfly This consideration is for direct damage it produces to citrus crops, and for the associated phytosanitary restrictions to the export market and indirect fruit loses by secondary pathogens proliferation (Jerraya, 2003). This species is an European Plant Protection Organization (EPPO) A2 quarantine pest and considered of quarantine significance throughout the world (APPPC, NAPPO), especially for Japan, USA and New Zealand (EPPO, 2014), with more than 300 plant species recorded as putative viable hosts (White & Elson-Harris, 1992). Many countries forbid the import of susceptible fruits without strict pre- and postharvest control treatments having been applied by the exporter
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