Effects of larval‐diet pH on worker comfort and insect quality during mass production of mediterranean fruit fly (Diptera: Tephritidae) in Hawaii

Abstract Background Insect species have established sophisticated symbiotic associations with diverse groups of microorganisms including bacteria which have been shown to affect several aspects of their biology, physiology, ecology and evolution. In addition, recent studies have shown that insect symbionts, including those localized in the gastrointestinal tract, can be exploited for the enhancement of sterile insect technique (SIT) applications against major insect pests such as the Mediterranean fruit fly (medfly) Ceratitis capitata. We previously showed that Enterobacter sp. AA26 can be used as probiotic supplement in medfly larval diet improving the productivity and accelerating the development of the VIENNA 8 genetic sexing strain (GSS), which is currently used in large scale operational SIT programs worldwide. Results Enterobacter sp. AA26 was an adequate nutritional source for C. capitata larvae, comprising an effective substitute for brewer’s yeast. Incorporating inactive bacterial cells in the larval diet conferred a number of substantial beneficial effects on medfly biology. The consumption of bacteria-based diet (either as full or partial yeast replacement) resulted in decreased immature stages mortality, accelerated immature development, increased pupal weight, and elongated the survival under stress conditions. Moreover, neither the partial nor the complete replacement of yeast with Enterobacter sp. AA26 had significant impact on adult sex ratio, females’ fecundity, adults’ flight ability and males’ mating competitiveness. The absence of both yeast and Enterobacter sp. AA26 (deprivation of protein source and possible other important nutrients) from the larval diet detrimentally affected the larval development, survival and elongated the immature developmental duration. Conclusions Enterobacter sp. AA26 dry biomass can fully replace the brewer’s yeast as a protein source in medfly larval diet without any effect on the productivity and the biological quality of reared medfly of VIENNA 8 GSS as assessed by the FAO/IAEA/USDA standard quality control tests. We discuss this finding in the context of mass-rearing and SIT applications.

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Evaluation of Oviposition Stimulants for Mass Production of Melon Fly, Oriental Fruit Fly, and Mediterranean Fruit Fly (Diptera: Tephritidae)

Journal of Economic Entomology ◽

10.1093/jee/84.6.1695 ◽

1991 ◽

Vol 84 (6) ◽

pp. 1695-1698 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

Roger Vargas ◽

Harris B. Chang

Keyword(s):

Mass Production ◽

Fruit Fly ◽

Mediterranean Fruit Fly ◽

Oriental Fruit Fly ◽

Melon Fly ◽

Oviposition Stimulants

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Evaluation of Two Pupation Methods for Mass Production of Mediterranean Fruit Fly (Diptera: Tephritidae)1

Journal of Economic Entomology ◽

10.1093/jee/79.3.864 ◽

1986 ◽

Vol 79 (3) ◽

pp. 864-867 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Roger Vargas ◽

Harris B. C. Chang ◽

Masami Komura ◽

Daniel S. Kawamoto

Keyword(s):

Mass Production ◽

Fruit Fly ◽

Mediterranean Fruit Fly

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Private Sector Investment in Mediterranean Fruit Fly Mass-Production and SIT Operations – The “Sheep” of the Private Sector Among the “Wolves” of the Public Good?

Area-Wide Control of Insect Pests ◽

10.1007/978-1-4020-6059-5_43 ◽

2007 ◽

pp. 457-472 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Y. Bassi ◽

S. Steinberg ◽

J. P. Cayol

Keyword(s):

Private Sector ◽

Public Good ◽

Mass Production ◽

Fruit Fly ◽

Mediterranean Fruit Fly ◽

The Public ◽

Private Sector Investment

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Effectiveness of Entomopathogenic Nematodes Against Ceratitis capitata (Diptera: Tephritidae) Pupae and Nematode Compatibility with Chemical Insecticides

Journal of Economic Entomology ◽

10.1093/jee/toaa301 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Maguintontz Cedney Jean-Baptiste ◽

Andressa Lima de Brida ◽

Daniel Bernardi ◽

Sérgio da Costa Dias ◽

Juliano de Bastos Pazini ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Biological Control ◽

Entomopathogenic Nematodes ◽

Ceratitis Capitata ◽

Integrated Management ◽

Fruit Fly ◽

Steinernema Carpocapsae ◽

Mediterranean Fruit Fly ◽

Fruit Crops ◽

Class 1 ◽

Pupal Mortality

Abstract The Mediterranean fruit fly Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann, 1824) (Diptera: Tephritidae) is among the main pests of fruit crops worldwide. Biological control using entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) may be an alternative to suppress populations of this pest. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the pathogenicity and virulence of six EPN isolates (Heterorhabditis bacteriophora HB, H. amazonensis IBCB-n24, Steinernema carpocapsae IBCB-n02, S. rarum PAM-25, S. glaseri IBCB-n47, and S. brazilense IBCB-n06) against C. capitata pupae. The compatibility of EPNs with different chemical insecticides that are registered for management of C. capitata was also assessed. Isolates of H. bacteriophora HB and S. brazilense IBCB-n06 at a concentration of 1,000 infective juveniles (IJ)/ml proved to be most pathogenic to C. capitata (70 and 80% mortality, respectively). In contrast, the isolates H. amazonensis IBCB-n24, Steinernema carpocapsae IBCB-n02, S. rarum PAM-25, S. glaseri IBCB-n47 provided pupal mortality of less than 60%. Bioassays to determine lethal concentrations indicated that concentrations of 600 IJ/ml (H. bacteriophora HB) and 1,000 IJ/ml (S. brazilense IBCB-n06) showed the highest virulence against C. capitata pupae. In contrast, the highest numbers of IJs emerged at concentrations of 1,200 and 200 IJ/ml. In compatibility bioassays, malathion, spinetoram, phosmet, acetamiprid, and novaluron were considered compatible with and harmless (Class 1) to H. bacteriophora HB and S. brazilense IBCB-n06, according to IOBC/WPRS. This information is important for implementing integrated management programs for C. capitata, using biological control with EPNs, whether alone or in combination with chemical insecticides.

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