Anastrepha Grandis Research Articles (Page 1)

Brazil is a large producer of cucurbits; despite the productive advantage, the country still has a low insertion in the international market due to the quarantine restrictions imposed by the Anastrepha grandis (Macquart, 1846) (Diptera: Tephritidae) presence. In this context, we conducted a study using McPhail traps and fruit sampling for three consecutive harvests to investigate the presence of A. grandis in commercial watermelon cultivation located in the Irrigation District of the Coastal Plateau of Piauí, Northeast Brazil. Anastrepha grandis was not registered in the coastal plain of Piauí, demonstrating the potential to establish a Pest Free Area. For this purpose, developing a pilot project on a larger time scale covering several properties and municipalities in Piauí is necessary.

Simple SummaryThe genus Anastrepha (Diptera: Tephritidae) is a group of fruit flies that contain significant insects (pests) of agricultural importance since they alter the quality and reduce the yield of fruit and vegetable production. This in turn projects great uncertainty regarding safety due to quarantine restrictions around the world. In this work, potential distribution models are presented for four selected species of this genus of fruit flies in different scenarios of climate variability; these models can constitute an input for the design of preventive control plans and early warning systems for these pest insects. The models were designed using the MaxEnt Maximum Entropy algorithm and showed a wide suitable area for the potential distribution of each species in the neotropics, as promoted by climate variability. This work is important both in the scientific and technical communities since it allows for the direction of economic and environmental policies, creating early warning systems, mitigating the impacts of these pest species in the fruit and vegetable economies of Latin America and Panama, and contributing to improving the social economy and food security.Climate variability has made us change our perspective on the study of insect pests and pest insects, focusing on preserving or maintaining efficient production systems in the world economy. The four species of the genus Anastrepha were selected for this study due to their colonization and expansion characteristics. Models of the potential distribution of these species are scarce in most neotropical countries, and there is a current and pressing demand to carry out this type of analysis in the face of the common scenarios of climate variability. We analyzed 370 presence records with statistical metrics and 16 bioclimatic variables. The MaxEnt method was used to evaluate the effect of the ENSO cycle on the potential distribution of the species Anastrepha grandis (Macquart), Anastrepha serpetina (Wiedemann), Anastrepha obliqua (Macquart), and Anastrepha striata (Schiner) as imported horticultural pests in the neotropics and Panama. A total of 3472 candidate models were obtained for each species, and the environmental variables with the greatest contribution to the final models were LST range and LST min for A. grandis, PRECIP range and PRECIP min for A. serpentina, LST range and LST min for A. obliqua, and LST min and LST max for A. striata. The percentage expansion of the range of A. grandis in all environmental scenarios was 26.46 and the contraction of the range was 30.80; the percentage expansion of the range of A. serpentina in all environmental scenarios was 3.15 and the contraction of the range was 28.49; the percentage expansion of the range of A. obliqua in all environmental scenarios was 5.71 and the contraction of the range was 3.40; and the percentage expansion of the range of A. striata in all environmental scenarios was 41.08 and the contraction of the range was 7.30, and we selected the best model, resulting in a wide distribution (suitable areas) of these species in the neotropics that was influenced by the variability of climatic events (El Niño, Neutral, and La Niña). Information is provided on the phytosanitary surveillance systems of the countries in areas where these species could be established, which is useful for defining policies and making decisions on integrated management plans according to sustainable agriculture.

Anastrepha grandis (South American cucurbit fruit fly)

There are risks involved in the production and exportation of fruit fly hosts due to the possible spread of tephritid pests during distribution. Anastrepha grandis attacks cucurbit fruits and is considered an A1 quarantine pest in many countries. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of hot water treatment on the eggs and larvae of A. grandis in vitro, and on ‘Atlas’ squash (Cucurbita moschata). The eggs and third-instar larvae of A. grandis were exposed to hot water at temperatures of 42.0, 44.0, 46.0, 46.5, 47.0, 47.5, 48.0, 49.0 and 50.0 (± 0.5) °C for durations of 0 (control), 10, 20, 30 and 60 minutes. Water temperatures of at least 44 °C affected the in vitro larval eclosion of A. grandis during all exposure times. No adults were obtained when in vitro A. grandis larvae were treated at 49 °C and 50 °C at all exposure times and, 48 °C for 30 and 60 minutes. No adults were obtained when squashes infested with A. grandis eggs or larvae were treated at temperatures of 49 °C and 50 °C during any exposure time, as well as subjected to 48 °C for 20 minutes. Anastrepha grandis larvae were slightly more susceptible to hydrothermal treatment than eggs in squashes. Hot water treatment applies at a temperature of 48 °C for 20 minutes is an effective phytosanitary treatment for squashes cv. Atlas infested with eggs and larvae of A. grandis.

Global potential distribution of Anastrepha grandis (Diptera, Tephritidae) under climate change scenarios

Abstract The South American cucurbit fruit fly,Anastrepha grandis(Macquart) (Diptera: Tephritidae), is an economically important pest of cucurbits and is classified as a quarantine species in many countries. In Brazil,A. grandishas a limited distribution; it is absent from northern and northeastern Brazil and distributed discontinuously in other parts of the country. To indirectly evaluate the influence of climatic and edaphic variables on the occurrence ofA. grandis, we used data based on 4 years of cucurbit fruit collections from all mesoregions of the state of São Paulo. Our results show evidence thatA. grandisis constrained by a minimum air temperature above 12 °C, low (<20 °C) and high (>29 °C) maximum air temperature, and by low rainfall and relative humidity, occurring at altitudes from 520 to 780 m. More importantly,A. grandiswas not collected in central to western São Paulo, where sandy soil and low soil water availability predominate and the climate is hot and dry. Our findings suggest that soil texture and moisture may be limiting factors for pupal survivorship ofA. grandis, and consequently edaphic characteristics should be taken into account in studies on its geographical distribution. Based on our results, central to western São Paulo state can potentially be classified as an area of low pest prevalence. Moreover, in countries where cucurbit species are cultivated in such conditions, it is not likely thatA. grandiscould become established.

Sicana odorifera is reported for the first time as a natural host of the South American cucurbit fruit fly, Anastrepha grandis. This paper presents information on this new host and discusses the distribution of A. grandis and its hosts in Brazil. In addition, Cucurbita moschata is the first host of A. grandis recorded in the state of Paraná.

Fruit flies (Diptera: Tephritidae) are the primary pests of horticultural crops worldwide, causing both direct and indirect damage to the fruit production, including Anastrepha grandis (Macquart, 1846), which exclusively infests Cucurbitaceae fruit. Dose-response tests were used to examine the effects of gamma radiation exposure on 24 – 48 h old eggs and third instar larvae, both in vitro and in Atlas squashes (Cucurbita moschata). The following physicochemical properties of Atlas squashes exposed to gamma radiation were evaluated: titratable total acidity, sugar, pH, external colouration, and texture. It was found that under in vitro conditions, a 20.0 Gy dose of gamma radiation was able to prevent larval eclosion, but a 200 Gy dose was necessary to prevent emergence after the exposure of third instar larvae. In Atlas squashes, 200 and 250 Gy doses of gamma radiation were able to prevent the emergence of A. grandis adults from eggs and larvae, respectively. The radiation doses estimated by Probit 9 to prevent emergence from squashes infested with eggs and third instar larvae were 257.13 Gy and 270.25 Gy respectively. The use of gamma radiation did not significantly affect the physicochemical properties of Atlas squashes, which suggested that gamma radiation may represent a potentially useful technique for the quarantine control of A. grandis in cucurbits.

Potential global distribution of the south American cucurbit fruit fly Anastrepha grandis (Diptera: Tephritidae)

ABSTRACT: Anastrepha grandis is one of the main pests related to Cucurbitaceae in South and Central America. This study discusses the impact of temperature increase on the number of generations of A. grandis, whose distribution could be aggravated due to temperature increase. Climatic variations were analyzed for reference scenarios obtained from 1961‒1990 and of A2 and B1 climatic change scenarios of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, in which a less pessimistic scenario (B1) and a more pessimistic scenario (A2) were found. In relation to the reference scenarios, in colder seasons, the southern and southeastern regions are inadequate for the development of A. grandis, presenting one generation at most. In other regions of Brazil, where temperatures are higher throughout the year, the number of generations is at least two, and there is no variation from one climatic season to another. When analyzing the temperature increase, in a more pessimistic scenario (A2), there is a considerable variation in the number of generations, if we take into account three future climate scenarios in which A. grandis practically doubles the number of generations. In relation to a less pessimistic scenario (B1), there is a smaller variation in the number of generations, mainly in the southern region of the country. This variation is more accentuated in southeastern Brazil due to the temperature increase, in which the pest’s number of generations doubles even in colder seasons.

Insect-symbiont interactions are receiving much attention in the last years. Symbiotic communities have been found to influence a variety of parameters regarding their host physiology and fitness. Gut symbiotic communities can be dynamic, changing through time and developmental stage. Whether these changes represent real differential needs and preferential relationships has not been addressed yet. In this study, we characterized the structure of symbiotic communities of five laboratory populations that represent five Tephritidae species that are targets for pest control management through the sterile insect technique (SIT), namely Bactrocera oleae, Anastrepha grandis, Anastrepha ludens, and two morphotypes of Anastrepha fraterculus (sp.1 and the Andean lineage). These populations are under artificial or semi artificial rearing conditions and their characterization was performed for different developmental stages and age. Our results demonstrate the presence of a symbiotic community comprising mainly from different Enterobacteriaceae genera. These communities are dynamic across developmental stages, although not highly variable, and appear to have a species-specific profile. Additional factors may contribute to the observed structuring, including diet, rearing practices, and the degree of domestication. Comparison of these results with those derived from natural populations could shed light to changes occurring in the symbiotic level during domestication of Tephritidae populations. Further studies will elucidate whether the changes are associated with modification of the behavior in laboratory strains and assess their effects in the quality of the mass rearing insects. This could be beneficial for improving environmentally friendly, species-specific, pest control methods, such as the SIT.

The quarantine pests, Anastrepha grandis (Macquart) and Zeugodacus cucurbitae (Coquillett), are economically important for the fruit fly-free area in Brazilian semiarid, an area in which they are not yet present. Therefore, the objective of this study was to assess the probability of establishment of A. grandis and Z. cucurbitae based on the estimate number of generations in different climatic regions of the Brazilian semiarid. For scenarios of future projections, it was estimated the number of generations with increase of 1°C (low radiative forcing scenario) and 4°C (high radiative forcing scenario) in the air temperature. Finally, we also estimate the quarantine period to eliminate the invading population of cucurbit fruit flies in Brazilian semiarid. For this, the average historical air temperature of 32 semiarid municipalities was used and the biology data of fruit flies (thermal threshold of development and thermal constant) were used. The fruit flies are able to present several generations per year in Brazilian semiarid. Anastrepha grandis can present from 7.99 (Sergipe) to 9.66 (Piauí) generations. The melon fly Z. cucurbitae may present from 31.25 (Sergipe) to 40.66 (Piauí) generations. The estimation of species multiplication is accentuated in any season, with greater amplitude in spring and summer. The municipalities of Piauí, Ceará, and Rio Grande do Norte presented the highest estimates of fruit fly generations. The increase of air temperature in a future scenario may favor the quarantine pests, A. grandis and Z. cucurbitae, in Brazilian semiarid. In conclusion, the species A. grandis and Z. cucurbitae can be established in Brazilian semiarid, with particular concern for the fruit fly-free area.

Toxic bait is an alternative to manage fruit flies (Tephritidae) in orchards and in wide-area programmes. The mortality caused by different dilutions of spinosad baits on adults of Ceratitis capitata (Wied.) and Anastrepha grandis (Macquart) (Tephritidae) were compared with a hydrolysed protein (BioAnastrepha) and water in laboratory. Females and males of C. capitata and A. grandis were exposed to Success® 0.02CB (GF-120 NF Naturalyte fruit-fly, 0.02% spinosad) diluted in distilled water (v/v) at 1:1.5; 1:4.5; 1:9.0 and 1:18.0. Spinosad dilutions at 1: 1.5 and 1: 4.5 showed similar effects and provided 100% adult mortality 24 hours after exposure to the baits. Anastrepha grandis was more susceptible to spinosad baits than C. capitata. Females of C. capitata were less susceptible to spinosad diluted at 1: 1.5, 1: 4.5 and 1: 90, than C. capitata males and both sexes of A. grandis. The values of lethal times (LT50) varied for the different dilutions of spinosad for both fruit-fly species; however, with different patterns for each species. The LT50 values of the two highest concentrations (1: 1.5, 1: 4.5) of spinosad bait were similar for fruit flies of both sexes of each species, but a significant difference was observed between species, with higher LT50 values for C. capitata. In general, the cumulative mortalities of spinosad baits increased at 240, 360, 480 minutes and 24 hours after exposure. BioAnastrepha was shown to be toxic to both species, especially for A. grandis, killing 82% of females and 72% of males at 24 hours after exposure. Spinosad bait may be used in different dilutions to manage C. capitata and A. grandis, with similar toxicity for the two highest spinosad concentrations.

Molecular identification of fruit flies in the genus Anastrepha (Diptera; Tephritidae) is important to support plant pest exclusion, suppression, and outbreak eradication. Morphological methods of identification of this economically important genus are often not sufficient to identify species when detected as immature life stages. DNA barcoding a segment of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I gene has been proposed as a method to identify pests in the genus. The identification process for these fruit flies, however, has not been explained in prior DNA barcode studies. DNA barcode methods assume that available DNA sequence records are biologically meaningful. These records, however, can be limited to the most common species or lack population-level measurements of diversity for pests. In such cases, the available data used as a reference are insufficient for completing an accurate identification. Using 539 DNA sequence records from 74 species of Anastrepha, we demonstrate that our barcoding data can distinguish four plant pests: Anastrepha grandis (Macquart) (Diptera; Tephritidae), Anastrepha ludens (Loew), Anastrepha serpentina (Wiedemann), and Anastrepha striata Schiner. This is based on genetic distances of barcode records for the pests and expert evaluation of species and population representation in the data set. DNA barcoding of the cytochrome oxidase I gene alone cannot reliably diagnose the pests Anastrepha fraterculus (Wiedemann), Anastrepha obliqua (Macquart), and Anastrepha suspensa (Loew).

Development of Anastrepha grandis (Diptera: Tephritidae) under constant temperatures and field validation of a laboratory model for temperature requirements

Anastrepha grandis (Macquart) (Diptera: Tephritidae) is endemic to the lowland Andean region of South America and considered a quarantine pest of cucurbits by most tropical and subtropical countries outside of the infested region. Despite its regulatory significance, the only phytosanitary treatment available is a generic phytosanitary irradiation dose of 150 Gy that is accepted for all Tephritidae but that was developed without any data on radiotolerance of A. grandis. The objectives of this research were to determine the most cold-tolerant developmental stage of A. grandis and to estimate a time period required for a phytosanitary cold treatment in zucchini squash, Cucurbita pepo L. (Cucurbitaceae). The most cold-tolerant developmental stage of A. grandis in fruit was the 3rd instar, and the time required for a phytosanitary cold treatment in zucchini squash when treated at a minimum of 1.0 °C was estimated at ~23 d. This indicates that A. grandis is approximately as cold tolerant as the most cold-tolerant Anastrepha species known, i.e., Anastrepha ludens (Loew). However, in small-scale testing, no survivors were found at 14 d (n = 340) and the estimated time of 23 d needs to be confirmed by large-scale testing before it should be used commercially. As statistical estimates of extreme values (>99.9%) are not very reliable, and data from 3rd instars did not fit the model well, large-scale testing should be initiated at a treatment time <23 d to not result in an excessive commercial treatment dose.

Fruit flies are considered important pests of world fruit production, causing significant losses in yield and limiting the free movement of fruit due to the restrictions imposed by importing countries. Thus, the objective of the study was to investigate the infestation rates and faunal analysis to characterize the fruit fly assemblage in an orchard located in Bambui, MG, Brazil. To this end, samples were taken weekly with fly traps hung in the trees, at a height of about 1.60 m height. Faunal analysis and study of infestation rates were conducted. The captured species were Ceratitis capitata , Anastrepha grandis , A. fraterculus , A. pseudoparallela , A. obliqua , A. dissimilis , A. zenildae , A. sororcula , A. similis , A. aczeli and A. bistrigata . The species varied throughout the studied period, but only C. capitata reached an economic threshold requiring better management of these insects in areas with citrus, acerola and fig. The predominant species was C. capitata .

Anastrepha grandis (Macquart) (Diptera: Tephritidae) is one of the main pests of cucurbits in Brazil. Losses occur due to the damage caused to the fruits and the embargo on exports, as A. grandis is considered a quarantine pest in countries that import Brazilian cucurbits. This study aimed to evaluate the development of A. grandis in hosts of the Cucurbitaceae family. The hosts used were stem squash (Cucurbita pepo L.), squash (Cucurbita moschata Duchesne), chayote [Sechium edule (Jacq.) Swartz], mini watermelon [Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.) Matsum & Nakai], Spanish melon (Cucumis melo L.), hybrid squash "Tetsukabuto" (C. moschata×Cucurbita maxima Duchesne), and salad cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.). We evaluated the viability and duration of egg-to-pupa period, pupal weight, sex ratio, and average number of pupae per fruit under controlled conditions of temperature, relative humidity, and photophase. The preoviposition and oviposition periods, fecundity, fertility, and longevity of females were determined for adults. Hosts of the genus Cucurbita provided a better development of A. grandis in comparison with other hosts, and presented a greater number of insects on fruit as well as higher infestation rate. Fecundity and longevity were also higher for females that developed in hosts of the genus Cucurbita, although values of these biological parameters varied between stem squash, squash, hybrid squash "Tetsukabuto."

O objetivo do estudo foi verificar a presença de Anastrepha grandis e identificar demais espécies de moscas-das-frutas coletadas em armadilhas modelo MacPhail instaladas em áreas de cucurbitáceas sob Sistema de Mitigação de Risco (SMR) para A. grandis na região Vale do São Patrício, GO, de novembro de 2004 a outubro de 2009. Um total de 812 espécimes de Anastrepha foram capturadas, sendo 639 machos (78,7%) e 173 fêmeas (21,3%). Destas foram identificadas 14 espécies de Anastrepha, ocorrentes em todas as estações do ano. A. dissimilis Stone, A. quiinae Lima e A. pickeli Lima foram registradas pela primeira vez em Goiás e primeiro registro de A grandis, com baixa prevalência, nos municípios de Jaraguá e Uruana, constituintes da área de SMR, indicando ótimas condições para manutenção de área de baixa prevalência. A. manihoti Lima (34,10%) foi a espécie mais frequente na região, seguidade A. obliqua (Macquart) (19,65%) e A. pickeli (13,87%).

Este estudo teve o objetivo de caracterizar a comunidade de moscas-das-frutas de ocorrência em pomares de pessegueiro e maracujazeiro, no Município de Iraceminha, Santa Catarina (SC), por meio da análise faunística. Os adultos de moscas-das-frutas foram capturados semanalmente, em armadilhas McPhail, contendo glicose invertida a 10%, no período de abril de 2006 a março de 2007. Na caracterização, foram calculados os índices de abundância, constância, dominância, frequência e diversidade. Foram coletados 697 adultos de moscas-das-frutas. Anastrepha grandis e Anastrepha fraterculus foram as espécies mais abundantes, frequentes, constantes e dominantes nos pomares estudados, predominando sobre as outras espécies de moscas-das-frutas. Ceratitis capitata foi caracterizada como dispersa e pouco frequente. O maior índice de diversidade encontrado foi de 1,99 no pomar de maracujazeiro.