Practical and Operational Genetic Sexing Systems Based on Classical Genetic Approaches in Fruit Flies, an Example for other Species Amenable to Large-Scale Rearing for the Sterile Insect Technique

AbstractThe sterile insect technique (SIT) is widely used in integrated pest management programs for the control of the Mediterranean fruit fly (medfly), Ceratitis capitata. The genetic interactions between the released individuals from the genetic sexing strains (GSS), used for SIT applications worldwide, and wild individuals have not been studied. Under the hypothesis that a number of Vienna GSS individuals released to the field might not be completely sterile and may produce viable offspring, we have analyzed medfly Spanish field populations to evaluate the presence of Vienna strain genetic markers. To this goal, we have used contrasted nuclear and mitochondrial genetic markers, and two novel sets of nuclear polymorphisms with the potential to be markers to discriminate between Vienna and wild individuals. Nuclear Vienna markers located on the 5th chromosome of Vienna males have been found in 2.2% (19 from 875) of the Spanish wild medfly females captured at the area where SIT is applied. In addition, a female-inherited mitochondrial Vienna marker has been found in two from the 19 females showing nuclear Vienna markers. The detection of several of these markers in single individuals represents evidence of the introgression of Vienna strain into natural populations. However, alternative explanations as their presence at low frequency in wild populations in the studied areas cannot be fully discarded. The undesired release of non-fully sterile irradiated GSS individuals into the field and their interactions with wild flies, and the potential environmental implications should be taken into account in the application of the SIT.

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Stable isotopes for reliable identification of wild and mass-reared Queensland fruit flies in sterile insect technique programs

Journal of Pest Science ◽

10.1007/s10340-021-01383-2 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

B. Mainali ◽

A. S. Andrew ◽

P. W. Taylor ◽

P. Rempoulakis

Keyword(s):

Stable Isotopes ◽

Sterile Insect Technique ◽

Fruit Flies ◽

Reliable Identification

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The Anopheles arabiensis genetic sexing strain ANO IPCL1 and its application potential for the sterile insect technique in integrated vector management programmes

Acta Tropica ◽

10.1016/j.actatropica.2014.11.013 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 142 ◽

pp. 138-144 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

Hanano Yamada ◽

Marc J.B. Vreysen ◽

Kostas Bourtzis ◽

Wolfgang Tschirk ◽

Dave D. Chadee ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Sterile Insect Technique ◽

Anopheles Arabiensis ◽

Integrated Vector Management ◽

Genetic Sexing ◽

Vector Management ◽

Application Potential ◽

Genetic Sexing Strain

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Age-Dependent Variation in Mating Success of Sterile Male Mediterranean Fruit Flies (Diptera: Tephritidae): Implications for Sterile Insect Technique

Journal of Economic Entomology ◽

10.1093/jee/100.4.1180 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 100 (4) ◽

pp. 1180-1187 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Todd E. Shelly ◽

James Edu ◽

Elaine Pahio

Keyword(s):

Mating Success ◽

Sterile Insect Technique ◽

Fruit Flies ◽

Sterile Male ◽

Age Dependent

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From trickle to flood: the large-scale, cryptic invasion of California by tropical fruit flies

Proceedings of The Royal Society B Biological Sciences ◽

10.1098/rspb.2013.1466 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 280 (1768) ◽

pp. 20131466 ◽

Cited By ~ 64

Author(s):

Nikos T. Papadopoulos ◽

Richard E. Plant ◽

James R. Carey

Keyword(s):

Large Scale ◽

Invasion Biology ◽

Fruit Fly ◽

Fruit Flies ◽

Federal Agencies ◽

Spatial Mapping ◽

Tropical Fruit ◽

Cryptic Invasion ◽

Tephritid Species ◽

Melon Fruit

Since 1954, when the first tropical tephritid fruit fly was detected in California, a total of 17 species in four genera and 11 386 individuals (adults/larvae) have been detected in the state at more than 3348 locations in 330 cities. We conclude from spatial mapping analyses of historical capture patterns and modelling that, despite the 250+ emergency eradication projects that have been directed against these pests by state and federal agencies, a minimum of five and as many as nine or more tephritid species are established and widespread, including the Mediterranean, Mexican and oriental fruit flies, and possibly the peach, guava and melon fruit flies. We outline and discuss the evidence for our conclusions, with particular attention to the incremental, chronic and insidious nature of the invasion, which involves ultra-small, barely detectable populations. We finish by considering the implications of our results for invasion biology and for science-based invasion policy.

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