Biological Control Of Fruit Flies Research Articles

Immature stages of Utetes anastrephae (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) developed in Anastrepha fruit fly larvae (Diptera: Tephritidae)

The morphology of the immature stages of Utetes anastrephae (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), a native parasitoid of larvae of flies of the Neotropical genus Anastrepha (Diptera: Tephritidae), is shown. This study aimed to characterize the immature stages and morphological changes in the development of the koinobiont endoparasitoid in two species of larval hosts, Anastrepha obliqua and Anastrepha ludens. The definition of structures and morphological changes during development was made through daily microscopic observations and photographs of dissected hosts. The immature development of the parasitoid corresponds to a holometabolous insect with three well-defined stages: egg (two days), larva with three larval instars (approximately eight days), and pupa (six days). Similar development times were obtained in the two host species. Males and females completed their cycle in 17 and 18 days, respectively. During egg-first instar development, host antagonistic activity through melanization and encapsulation as mortality factors was evident and frequent only in A. obliqua. These results serve as basic knowledge for the use of this parasitoid in the biological control of fruit flies.

Sugar feeders reduce weaver ants’ drawbacks when used as biological control agents in mango orchards

The use of predatory arthropods in biological pest control in agriculture can generate resistance by farmers when these beneficials become noxious for them or their crops. The African weaver ant, Oecophylla longinoda (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), an effective biocontrol agent of pests, particularly Bactrocera dorsalis fruit flies in mango orchards in West Africa, is a good example of such inconveniences. We here explored whether manipulating their behavior by providing sugar feeders on trees would (i) alter their mutualistic relationships with scale insects, thereby reducing the incidence of this pest, (ii) decrease nest abundance often considered by farmers to reduce foliage development, and (iii) reduce their aggressiveness. To that end, a field monitoring was launched in an organic mango orchard in Senegal wherein three treatments were compared: (1) mango trees with ants and sugar feeder, (2) mango trees with ants but no sugar feeder, and (3) mango trees with neither ants nor sugar feeder. The population dynamics of scale insects and weaver ants as well as their behavior were monitored over two years. Sugar provisioning significantly reduced scale insect infestations, nest abundance, and ant aggressiveness over time. Such manipulation of ant behavior through sugar supplementation should help breaking down obstacles that hamper their wide-scale use for the biological control of fruit flies in mango orchards.

Biological control of fruit flies: When to use more than one parasitoid species

We tested if the combined use of the parasitoids Fopius arisanus (Sonan) and Diachasmimorpha longicaudata (Ashmead) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) provides higher efficiency in controlling C. capitata populations, rather than used alone, on acerola (Malpighia emarginata DC.), guava (Psidium guajava L.), and mango (Mangifera indica L.). The efficiency or parasitism rates for F. arisanus and D. longicaudata, used alone or sequentially, ranged from 2.02 to 56.37 % among the crops surveyed. However, we can obtain the real efficiency of these parasitoids if we consider how much they avoid the emergence of fruit fly host, which is called efficacy. When used alone, the efficacy rates of F. arisanus and D. longicaudata on C. capitata were respectively 41.95 and 72.81 % on acerola; 53.76 and 44.95 % on guava; and 40.29 and 8.40 % on mango. However, when both species were used together, the efficacy of C. capitata control was 71.42, 76.58, and 36.86 % on acerola, guava, and mango, respectively. Therefore, to better achieve improved biological control efficacy, we recommend using D. longicaudata alone on acerola; F. arisanus on mango, and the combined use of both species on guava.

Editor’s Choice: May 2022

A 30-year systematic review reveals success in tephritid fruit fly biological control research – N. P. Dias, P. Montoya & D. E. Nava (https://doi.org/10.1111/eea.13157).

A 30‐year systematic review reveals success in tephritid fruit fly biological control research

AbstractFruit flies (Diptera: Tephritidae) are among the main pests in horticulture, impacting field crops and export markets. The biological control of fruit flies has become an important method for environmentally friendly crop production. Although biological control is an age‐old practice and the mass‐rearing of some biological agents boomed in the 1990s, efforts in fruit fly control programs still face several challenges. We conducted a systematic review to investigate publications assessing the success or failure of using natural enemies against tephritid fruit flies. Our goal was to compile and summarize information from over 30 years of research on biocontrol efforts, including groups and species of control agents and fruit flies tested, methodological approaches applied, the country where the study was performed, and the scope adopted. We also analyzed effectiveness, efficiency, and success rates in biocontrol studies published from 1990 to 2021. Our review showed 2986 records, of which 225 publications matched the criteria. The most‐studied biocontrol agents for the suppression of fruit flies were parasitoids, fungi, and nematodes. A few studies assessed bacteria, predators, and viruses. We found a total of 55 fruit fly species described as hosts of the biological agents. Natural/conservation biological control was the main scope studied; however, augmentative biological control had a higher rate of successful studies and potential success, followed by classical biological control. The effectiveness and efficiency parameters are discussed to provide support for researchers in future studies.

Maximum Entropy (MaxEnt) as extreme distribution indicator of two Neotropical fruit fly parasitoids in irrigated drylands of Argentina.

The figitid Ganaspis pelleranoi and the braconid Doryctobracon areolatus (Hym: Braconidae, Opiinae) are wide-ranging (from Florida, USA to Argentina) fruit fly parasitoids with tropical and subtropical distribution with a wet and temperate climate. In Argentina, both parasitoid species are thought to be restricted to the subtropical rainforests of the northwest and northeast, locally known as 'Yungas' and 'Paranaense' forests, respectively. However, these species recently have been recorded at the Monte and Thistle of the Prepuna eco-region, an arid region of central-western Argentina. Despite the extreme environmental conditions, anthropic artificial irrigation seems to be playing a fundamental role in fostering the presence and persistence of these species. Maximum Entropy (MaxEnt) models were developed to assess the suitability of these areas to harbor both species. The present work is a first approach to identify suitable areas for the distribution of these two fruit fly biological control agents in the American continent; based on 19 bioclimatic variables. Furthermore, the models resulting from including the new records in the 'Monte' eco-region suggest that local populations may become adapted to particular micro-environmental conditions generated by artificial irrigation. Models revealed that these artificial oases are suitable for G. pelleranoi but seem to be unsuitable for D. areolatus. This first and new approach to the area suitability of these species invites to produce models that reflect actual distribution including more records of presence in oases with similar conditions, thus decreasing the bias of the model generated by over reliance on areas with higher humidity (forest), which correspond to the distribution known before the inclusion of the new records.

Opiine parasitoids (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) and biological control of fruit flies (Diptera: Tephritidae) in Australia: Past, present and future

AbstractOpiine braconids are parasitoids of the immature stages of frugivorous tephritids. The female wasp lays her eggs into the eggs or larvae of the fruit fly host, where the immature wasp develops before emerging as a next‐generation adult from the now dead host pupal case. In support of a new generation of Australian fruit fly parasitoid research, this paper comprehensively reviews what is known about the Australian fruit fly infesting opiines. Based on the most recent taxonomic revision 11 fruit fly infesting opiine species are documented to occur in Australia, but we consider as doubtful the record forDiachasmimorpha longicaudataand consider the record forFopius illusoriusto be tentative without further collections. We identify that the systematics and taxonomy of the Australian native fruit fly infesting opiines are in urgent need of further work. The history of fruit fly biological control in Australia is comprehensively reviewed, including the export of native Australian opiines for fruit fly control elsewhere in the world. Australia was actively involved in three major classical biological control programmes against fruit flies from the turn of the 1900s until the mid‐1960s. Despite the introduction of 11 opiine species, plus numerous other natural enemies, onlyFopius arisanusestablished in eastern Australia, where in South‐east Queensland it can now cause between 30 and 40% mean parasitism. In addition to the exoticF. arisanus, the native speciesDiachasmimorpha kraussiiandDiachasmimorpha tryonialso cause fruit fly parasitism in agriculturally important crops: both species have also been liberated widely outside of Australia for fruit fly control. Other Australian opiines have not been reared from flies infesting commercial crops and appear biologically restricted to the fruits and environs of Australian east‐coast rainforests. The biology literature forD. tryoniandD. kraussiiis comprehensively reviewed, while forF. arisanus, already reviewed elsewhere, key literature only is covered. Forward looking, we consider the potential for inoculative or inundative releases of opiines in areas where they do not currently occur to be good, while conservation biological control may help to increase the impacts of parasitoids in areas where they are already established.

Overview and Checklist of Parasitoids (Hymenoptera, Braconidae and Figitidae) of Anastrepha Fruit Flies (Diptera, Tephritidae) in the Brazilian Amazon

Fruit-bearing plants in the Brazilian Amazon are mainly attacked by species of Anastrepha, of which about half are endemic to the region. However, tritrophic relations (fly/plant/parasitoid) have only been established for some 25% of the species of Anastrepha in the region. At present, 11 species of hymenopterous parasitoids (Braconidae and Figitidae) have been recorded in the Brazilian Amazon. Parasitoids in general, especially those of the family Braconidae, stand out as the most effective natural enemies of fruit flies of the genus Anastrepha. Doryctobracon areolatus is the most abundant parasitoid and it is associated with the largest number of Anastrepha species in the region. Some fruiting species, for example Bellucia grossularioides (L.) Triana and Geissospermum argenteum Woodson, have been studied aiming at biological control of fruit flies, because they act as reservoirs or multipliers of fruit fly parasitoids. Although research has advanced significantly in the past 20 years, there is a shortage of studies in nearly all states in the region, due to the huge area of the Brazilian Amazon.

Determination of temperature thresholds for the parasitoid Diachasmimorpha longicaudata (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), using life cycle simulation modeling: Implications for effective field releases in classical biological control of fruit flies

The braconid parasitoid Diachasmimorpha longicaudata (Ashmead) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) is one of the most important natural enemies in classical biological control programs against tephritid fruit flies worldwide. In light of the spread of the invasive fruit fly species, Bactrocera dorsalis in Africa and beyond, there is a need to implement classical biological control. The current study aimed to determine temperature thresholds for D. longicaudata reared on B. dorsalis, using life cycle simulation modeling to guide informed parasitoid releases in Africa. Simulated parameters included thermal requirements, population growth parameters at different temperature requirements, suitable areas for the establishment, and the number of generations per year under projected climatic conditions. The lower thermal threshold for the development was estimated at 10.0°C, with a thermal constant (k) of 333.3-degree days, while the maximum temperature threshold was estimated at 33.69°C. Fecundity was highest at 25°C, with 177.3 eggs per female. Temperature significantly affected the population growth parameters of D. longicaudata, and the maximum value of the intrinsic rate of increase (rm) was 0.145 at 27°C. Results indicate that D. longicaudata could successfully establish in tropical and sub-tropical regions under current and future climatic conditions. However, a slight change in the suitable areas is expected by the year 2050 due to a slight and gradual rise in temperature. Our findings provide important information for further release of this parasitoid in Africa as well as designing pest management strategies to limit the spread and reduce the impact of fruit flies sustainably.

Biological control of fruit flies: bibliometric analysis on the main biocontrol agents

The Tephritidae family has many fruit fly species responsible for causing direct and indirect damage to economically important fruit trees worldwide. Biological control has been sought as a method for the management of these insects, mainly because it does not cause adverse damage to the environment. Thus, this review sought information on what is currently being published in the scientific field about the main biological agents that are used to control fruit flies. The information was obtained through surveys between the months of June and August 2020, in bases such as the Web of Science, Scopus, ScienceDirect, Taylor & Francis, Springer, and Scielo. The inclusion of the articles followed criteria such as publication language English, Portuguese and Spanish, available in full, from categories A1 to B1, related to the biological agents used in the control of fruit flies and published in the last five years. A total of 2,362 studies were found, of which 105 articles were selected for this review. Regarding the years of publication, only 27% of the studies correspond to references from the years 2019 and 2020, with a greater number of research on parasitoids and developed in the laboratory. The largest concentration of research was in countries like Brazil, Mexico, and Spain.

Training needs assessment of agricultural extension change agents in the field of biological control of fruit fly in Sinai Peninsula

BackgroundThe context and purpose of the study. The world has turned to the technology of organic agriculture to obtain safe food and preserve the environment, and there have become many standards that control the production, processing, and circulation of organic products. Egypt has been interested in issuing a law to control organic agriculture, and has adopted a trend toward clean agriculture based on the use of organic fertilizers and bio-control of fruit flies. The research aimed to evaluate extension activities to improve training methods in this area, so as to estimate the level of training needs of agricultural extension agents in the field of biological control of fruit flies, and determine the training methods preferred by them, identify the reasons of weak application of the methods of biological control, identify the problems faced by extension agents to transfer biological control recommendations to farmers, and to identify the relationship between the level of training needs of agricultural extension workers and some independent variables. The methodology of the study depends on theoretical and analytical methods; data were collected by personal interview using questionnaire formsResults: the main findingsThe main findings are summarized as follows:It was found that more than three-quarter of change agents did not receive any training courses in this field, the attendees were low beneficiaries, so they are requiring further training in the field of biological control of fruit flies.There are severe training needs for agricultural extension agents for the methods of biological control of fruit fly in the following: pathogenic nematodes, growth regulators and hormones of reproduction, sterilization of male insects, and pathogenic bacteria.The agricultural extension agents prefer training methods as field visits and practical clarificationThere is a direct and significant relationship between the levels of training needs and age, and there are inverse and significant relationships with experience in training, academic qualification, academic specialization, the duration of service in agricultural work, the duration of service in extension work, and the degree of job satisfaction.Conclusionsa brief summary and potential implication. Potential implication is to improve the extension services based on an assessment of the change agent’s training needs, pay attention to the field demonstration in the training, and repeat it several times, and provide the trainers with auxiliary tools, while providing appropriate conditions for the fieldwork, increase agricultural programs on media broadcast to increase viewing, and support channels with research centers in order to facilitate its adoption and disseminate biological control methods in rural areas.

Assessment of the entomopathogenic nematodes against maggots and pupae of the oriental fruit fly, Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel) (Diptera: Tephritidae), under laboratory conditions

The oriental fruit fly, Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel) (Diptera: Tephritidae) is one of the major insect pests which renders the fruit to become unfit for human consumption. In severe cases, losses may reach up to 100% in some fruit crops. The present study aimed to investigate the pathogenicity of entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs), Heterorhabditis bacteriophora, H. indica, Steinernema carpocapsae, and S. asiaticum against B. dorsalis maggots and pupae under laboratory conditions. One milliliter of EPNs, having 50, 75, and 100 infective juveniles (IJs) against maggots and 100, 150, and 200 IJs against pupae, were poured into 9 cm Petri dishes with 20 g sterilized soil as supporting media. The highest maggots’ mortality (70%) was obtained after 3 days of application of H. bacteriophora and S. carpocapsae and reached up to (96%) after 9 days. S. asiaticum and H. indica caused 91.16 and 85.87% mortality, respectively, after 9 days post treatment at the highest nematode concentration (100 IJs/ml). Whereas, against the fruit fly pupae, H. bacteriophora caused 69.08% mortality after 9 days at the highest concentration (200 IJs/ml). All nematode species showed high effectiveness against both stages of B. dorsalis. Their application can be further evaluated under field conditions to promote a good biological control of fruit flies for healthier fruit production.

Biological control of fruit flies in Brazil

Abstract: Fruit flies are the main pests of fruit growing in Brazil. They have been managed predominantly with the use of insecticides applied as cover spray and or/as toxic baits. Currently, the trend of management strategies is toward the adoption of methods that cause the lowest environmental impact in large areas. In this context, biological control is an excellent option to be used together with other management strategies, such as sterile insects, because it leaves no residues, does not disturb nontarget pests, and can be permanent if the natural enemy establishes itself in the field. This review paper addresses the current knowledge on the biological control of fruit flies in Brazil, highlighting the great biodiversity of its natural enemies, especially parasitoids, its biology and ecology. The classical biological control programs in Brazil are also reported, from the introduction of Tetrastichus giffardianus (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae), in 1937, to control Ceratitis capitata (Diptera: Tephritidae), to that of Fopius arisanus (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), in 2012, to control Bactrocera carambolae (Diptera: Tephritidae). Finally, the obtained advances are pointed out, as well as the main bottlenecks and perspectives for the effective use of biological control programs against fruit flies.

Annotated checklist and illustrated key to braconid parasitoids (Hymenoptera, Braconidae) of economically important fruit flies (Diptera, Tephritidae) in Brazil.

The braconid parasitoids of fruit-infesting flies have been more intensively studied from the middle to late 1990s, when taxonomic research was restarted in Brazil. At the same time, efforts toward the biological control of fruit flies intensified, and an exotic species, Diachasmimorpha longicaudata, was introduced. In the decade 2010, another exotic species, Fopius arisanus, was introduced, and two new species of Doryctobracon were described. Currently, 12 species of braconids from the subfamilies Alysiinae (two species) and Opiinae (10 species) are associated with fruit flies of economic importance in Brazil, two of which are introduced species. More than half of the species belong to the genus Doryctobracon, with D. areolatus (Szépligeti) the most widely distributed species in Brazil.

Natal host and learning as factors in host preference by Spalangia cameroni Perkins (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae)

The parasitoid Spalangia cameroni Perkins is a commercially available biocontrol agent of filth flies that is also used, especially through inundative releases, for the biological control of fruit flies. Adequate host selection behaviour is essential to the reproductive performance of parasitoid females, and innate and learned host species preferences play a key role in it. Therefore, in this study, the effect of natal host species [the medfly Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann) or the house fly Musca domestica Linnaeus], either an innate or learned host, on later S. cameroni female host preference was assessed. In both innate and learned host preference experiments, most examined variables (realized fecundity, total progeny, induced mortality and sex ratio) did not differ significantly for the parasitoid line (parasitoids reared on medfly or house fly), but they did differ for the two attacked hosts, with the variables being higher in the house fly. In the learned host preference experiment, these variables did not differ significantly with experience (i.e., the host species on which parasitoids had performed previous parasitic activity). Superparasitism (the number of pupae with supernumerary eggs) differed significantly for the two attacked hosts and with experience, being higher in the house fly and in females experienced with medfly, respectively, but it did not influence the total progeny. The lower realized fecundity and induced mortality shown by experienced S. cameroni females compared to inexperienced females may be due to the fact that experienced females could be less likely to accept novel host types than naive females. These results indicate that rearing S. cameroni on medfly or house fly pupae seems to have little influence on the later performance of this parasitoid in its subsequent use against populations of both fly pests.

Temporal Diversity and Abundance Patterns of Parasitoids of Fruit-Infesting Tephritidae (Diptera) in the Argentinean Yungas: Implications for Biological Control.

A 4-yr study was done to analyze seasonal patterns underlying host plant-fruit fly-parasitoid interactions in a secondary forest in the Argentinean Yunga and its importance for the implementation of conservation and augmentative biological control. Larval-pupal hymenopteran parasitoids associated with all host plants and fruit fly species were identified and the seasonal occurrence of fruit, infestation levels, parasitism percentage, and relative parasitoid abundance were determined. Three fruit fly species in two genera were found in association with surveyed plants, two of which (Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann) and Anastrepha fraterculus (Wiedemann)) are of major economic importance. Infestation levels were strongly influenced by environmental factors and peak fruit availability. Five fruit fly parasitoid species were recovered from fly pupae, four braconid species, and one figitid. Time windows for fruit fly population growth were pinpointed. Based on results, the present analysis proposes an effective fruit fly biological control strategy tailored for the northwestern Argentinean citrus-producing area.

Nutrient uptake and allocation capacity during immature development determine reproductive capacity in Diachasmimorpha longicaudata (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Opiinae), a parasitoid of tephritid flies

Fitness in parasitoids is generally influenced by host quality. We measured the effects of three tephritid host species that varied in size, the fruits they developed in, and host nutritional content on some measures of fitness such as egg load, individual egg size, body size, and nutrient composition in the braconid Diachasmimorpha longicaudata, a widely used fruit fly biological control agent. The host species were: Anastrepha ludens (large host developing in both grapefruit and an artificial diet), Anastrepha obliqua (small host) and Anastrepha serpentina (small host). Female parasitoid body size was influenced by host size and the number of eggs per female varied significantly with parasitoid age (0–24h). Female parasitoids that emerged from A. obliqua and those that emerged from A. ludens reared in grapefruit had the largest eggs, whereas those that emerged from A. ludens reared in artificial diet and from A. serpentina had the smallest eggs. While nutrient concentrations differed among fly species, there was little to suggest that resources were more accessible in certain hosts. The largest host did not necessarily exhibit the highest nutrient concentration. Larger hosts represented larger macronutrient pools and the nutrient content of the host generally corresponded to the relative abundance of the same nutrients in the parasitoids that developed within them. Nevertheless, the quality of the various hosts tested had little effect on egg load, egg size and adult nutrient composition of the oligophagous parasitoid, D. longicaudata. This renders D. longicaudata a valuable candidate parasitoid for the biological control of multiple species of Anastrepha.

Parasitism, emergence, and development of Spalangia endius (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) in pupae of different ages of Bactrocera cucurbitae (Diptera: Tephritidae).

The wasp Spalangia endius Walker (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) is a major parasitoid of the pupae of fruit flies, which are a common agricultural pest. An understanding of this intricate host–parasitoid interaction could provide basic information necessary for the sustainable integrated biological control of fruit flies. In this study, we investigated the effect of S. endius on different-aged pupae of the melon fly Bactrocera cucurbitae Coquillett by using choice and nonchoice tests under laboratory conditions. We showed that S. endius females oviposited, and their progeny successfully developed, in different-aged pupae of B. cucurbitae regardless of the method of exposure. There was an oviposition preference for 3–5-d-old pupa. The highest mean percentage parasitism occurred on 4- and 5-d-old hosts, followed by 2- and 3-d-old hosts. The average development time for both males and females was significantly longer in 6–7-d-old hosts than in the younger host stages. Adult females that developed from younger host pupae (2–5-d old) were significantly heavier than those from older host pupae (6–7-d old), and they also lived longer. The sex ratio (proportion of females) of the parasite progeny decreased with an increase in host age. Host mortality also decreased gradually as the pupal age increased. The differences in development time, body weight, and longevity between females and males were significant. These results suggest that S. endius is a good candidate for the biological control of B. cucurbitae.

A qPCR-based method for detecting parasitism of Fopius arisanus (Sonan) in oriental fruit flies, Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel).

Parasitism detection and species identification are necessary in fruit fly biological control. Currently, release of mass-reared Fopius arisanus is practiced worldwide, as it is effective in controlling Bactrocera dorsalis and Ceratitis capitata. To detect and assess parasitism in parasitoid mass-rearing colonies and parasitism levels in field populations across all life stages of hosts, the development of a rapid, specific and sensitive method is important. A species-specific probe was designed for F. arisanus, as well as a universal tephritid probe. Utilizing rapid DNA extraction techniques coupled with quantitative-PCR, a simple and fast assay has been developed to detect parasitism of F. arisanus that is sensitive enough to detect the parasitoid across all developmental stages, including a single egg per host egg or 0.25 ng of parasitoid DNA in 40 ng of host DNA. The qPCR methods also detect a higher parasitism rate when compared with rearing-based methods where parasitism rate is based on wasp emergence and where unemerged wasps are not included. This method is a rapid, sensitive and specific technique to determine the parasitism rate of F. arisanus across all life stages of B. dorsalis, which will be useful to predict parasitoid output from mass rearing and evaluate the outcome of pest suppression after mass release in the field.

Wing Morphometry and Acoustic Signals in Sterile and Wild Males: Implications for Mating Success in Ceratitis capitata.

The sterile insect technique (SIT) is widely utilized in the biological control of fruit flies of the family Tephritidae, particularly against the Mediterranean fruit fly. This study investigated the interaction between mating success and morphometric variation in the wings and the production of acoustic signals among three male groups of Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann): (1) wild males, (2) irradiated with Co-60 (steriles), and (3) irradiated (steriles) and treated with ginger oil. The canonical variate analysis discriminated two groups (males irradiated and males wild), based on the morphological shape of the wings. Among males that emit buzz signals, wild males obtained copulation more frequently than males in Groups 2 and 3. The individuals of Group 3 achieved more matings than those in Group 2. Wild males displayed lower pulse duration, higher intervals between pulses, and higher dominant frequency. Regarding the reproductive success, the morphological differences in the wings' shape between accepted and nonaccepted males are higher in wild males than in the irradiated ones. The present results can be useful in programs using the sterile insect technique for biological control of C. capitata.