scholarly journals Lek Behavior of Mediterranean Fruit Flies: An Experimental Analysis

Author(s):  
Boaz Yuval ◽  
Todd E. Shelly

The Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata (Diptera: Tephritidae), is a ubiquitous pest of fruit trees, causing significant economic damage both in the U.S. and in Israel. Control efforts in the future will rely heavily on the sterile insect technique (SIT). Success of such operations hinges on the competitive ability of released males. The mating system of the medfly is based on leks. These are aggregations of sexually signaling males that attract females (who then select and copulate a courting male). A major component of male competitiveness is their ability to join existing leks or establish leks that are attractive to wild females. Accordingly, we identified leks and the behaviors associated with them as critical for the success of SIT operations. The objectives of this proposal were to determine 1. what makes a good lek site, 2. what are the energetic costs of lekking, 3. how females choose leks, and finally 4. whether the copulatory success of sterile males may be manipulated by particular pre-release diets and judicious spatial dispersal. We established that males choose lek sites according to their spatial location and penological status, that they avoid predators, and within the lek tree choose the perch that affords a compromise between optimal signalling, micro-climatic conditions and predation risk (Kaspi & Yuval 1999 a&b; Field et al 2000; Kaspi & Yuval submitted). We were able to show that leks are exclusive, and that only males with adequate protein and carbohydrate reserves can participate (Yuval et al 1998; Kaspi et al 2000; Shelly et al 2000). We determined that females prefer leks formed by protein fed, sexually experienced males (Shelly 2000). Finally, we demonstrated that adding protein to the diet of sterile males significantly enhances their probability of participating in leks and copulating wild females (Kaspi & Yuval 2000).

2016 ◽  
Vol 85 (3) ◽  
pp. 311-323 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammed Mansour ◽  
Fater Mohamad

Abstract Population fluctuations of the Mediterranean fruit fly (medfly), Ceratitis capitata, were investigated between 1999 and 2001 at several locations representing fruit production areas in the southern part of Syria (Damascus Ghota, Zabadani, Sargaiah, Rankus, Orneh and Ain Al-Arab). Medfly adults were monitored weekly all year around using Jackson traps baited with trimedlure dispensers. Larvae were also sampled in Damascus Ghota by collecting fruits from ripe or ripening fruit trees and recording the number of larvae emerged from these fruits. In addition, suspected overwintering refuges were sampled at weekly intervals during the three coldest months of the year (December – February) and the number of collected larvae was recorded. The results of trap catches and fruit sampling studies showed a similar pattern of occurrence of medfly populations in the study areas, particularly in Damascus Ghota, during the three years of the study. In Damascus Ghota, flies were caught continuously from early June to late December with some variability between years. Two distinct periods of high fly activity were observed: the first one occurred in August and the second in November with a much higher amplitude. In general, seasonal fluctuations in the pattern of occurrence were influenced by differences in temperature and abundance of preferred host fruits. Traps on fig Ficus carica and oriental persimmon Diospyros kaki trees caught the highest numbers of flies, and fruits collected from these trees showed the highest level of infestation, reaching 100% for fig fruit late in the season. Sampling fruits (in Damascus Ghota) from trees during the three coldest months of the year showed that a small population of medfly larvae was able to survive winter conditions in prickly pear Opuntia vulgaris fruit left on the trees. In the other areas of the study (Zabadani, Sargaiah, Rankus, Orneh and Ain Al-Arab), only a few flies were caught.


1997 ◽  
Vol 87 (4) ◽  
pp. 405-412 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Niklaus-Ruiz Borge ◽  
T. Basedow

AbstractMcPhail traps baited with hydrolysed protein and borax to trap mainly female fruit flies, Jackson traps baited with trimedlure to attract male Ceratitis capitata Wiedemann, and Jackson traps baited with cuelure and methyl eugenol to trap Bactrocera spp., were hung in fruit trees at 50 sites and serviced weekly from June, 1994 to March, 1995, over an area of 350 km2 in Nicaragua. Samples of fruit were collected and kept separately to rear adult fruit flies and their hymenopterous parasitoids from known host plants. No Bactrocera spp. was trapped or reared from fruit at any site. Ceratitis capitata was caught in high numbers in McPhail and Jackson traps at nearly all sites in the dry season, attacking coffee berries and fruit of Citrus species. Toxotrypana curvicauda Gerstaecker was attracted to the food lure McPhail traps in low numbers and was widespread throughout the year, attacking papaya (Caricaceae). Of 29 Anastrepha species known to occur south of Mexico and north of Panama, ten were found during the study, occurring mainly in the rainy season; only two of them were trapped frequently and reared from collected fruit. Anastrepha obliqua Macquart proved to be the second most abundant fruit fly species, with a population peak from June to October when its preferred host plants Mangifera indica, Spondias mombin (Anacardiaceae) and Psidium friedrichsthalianum (Myrtaceae) were ripening. Anastrepha striata Schiner, trapped at 45 sites, occurred from June to November, attacking P. friedrichsthalianum and P. guajava. Sampled fruit of a further eight species in seven families were not attacked by tephritid flies. Parasitism by introduced braconid Diachasmimorpha longicaudata (Ashmead) was very low (3.7% in C. capitata, 2.7% in A. obliqua and 5.3% in A. striata).


2019 ◽  
pp. 338-353
Author(s):  
Eman A. Zentani

The present field study was carried out to identify fruit fly species in Tripoli fruit orchards during 2016 – 2017 seasons by using fruit rearing method. Five hosts were examined in this study namely Guava Psidium guajava L. , Pear Pyrus communis، , Plum Prunus cerasifera, pomegranate Punica granatum and Peach Prunus persica The results revealed that three species of fruit flies that belong to family Tephritidae were identified; the Peach fruit fly, Bactrocera zontana (Saunders) and the Mediterranean fruit fly Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemaan), which were found in all fruit trees examined, and Bactrocera sp.that was recorded for the first time on Guava in the area. The fourth fruit fly species recorded was the African fig fly, Zaprionus indianus (Gupta) in pomegranate and Guava fruits.


2020 ◽  
pp. 7-10
Author(s):  
Vasiliy P. Petropavlovsky ◽  
◽  
Vyacheslav V. Marchenko ◽  
Lyudmila S. Vikulova ◽  
Olga D. Chepeleva ◽  
...  

Summary. Data on distribution of hypodermatosis among large horned cattle in Stavropol region are presented in the article. It was proved that this pathology is widespread in this region. From 12% to 38% of animals from the total number of examined livestock are affected. Ordinary subcutaneous botfly (stroma) Hypoderma bovis de Geer and south subcutaneous botfly (pischevodnik) Hypoderma lineatum de Villers parasites on large horned cattle. The species ratio of gadflies is: Hypoderma bovis (de Gee - 61.1%, Hypoderma lineatum de Villers - 38.9%). The disease is widespread in all climatic zones of Stavropol region. Animals of all age and sex groups are infected, but young animals are more often affected. Linear relationship between the indicators of the transformation of climatic conditions in Stavropol region, the spread of hypodermatosis and the timing of treatment and preventive measures were determined. Authors proved that the complete death of H. bovis and H. lineatum imago (regardless of the time of their hatching) was noted when the temperature drops to -3°C for two days. Thus, this temperature determines the start of treatment and preventive measures against hypodermatosis in the area of animal welfare. When analyzing the histomorphological changes caused by H. bovis and H. lineatum in the body of large horned cattle, perforation of the skin, swelling of adjacent tissues, disorganization of the stroma and structural elements, erythrocyte aggregation, hemorrhages, hydropic degeneration of cellular elements, tissue necrosis, polymorphonuclear leukocyte infiltration of affected organs and tissues were observed. The data on pathogenesis were presented, the analysis of economic damage and the veterinary and sanitary assessment of the products of slaughter of cattle with hypodermatosis were carried out.


Author(s):  
Maguintontz Cedney Jean-Baptiste ◽  
Andressa Lima de Brida ◽  
Daniel Bernardi ◽  
Sérgio da Costa Dias ◽  
Juliano de Bastos Pazini ◽  
...  

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.


Author(s):  
Rubén Sancho ◽  
Ana Guillem-Amat ◽  
Elena López-Errasquín ◽  
Lucas Sánchez ◽  
Félix Ortego ◽  
...  

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.


Genetics ◽  
1999 ◽  
Vol 153 (1) ◽  
pp. 351-360 ◽  
Author(s):  
Neil Davies ◽  
Francis X Villablanca ◽  
George K Roderick

Abstract The Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata, is a devastating agricultural pest that threatens to become established in vulnerable areas such as California and Florida. Considerable controversy surrounds the status of Californian medfly infestations: Do they represent repeated introductions or the persistence of a resident population? Attempts to resolve this question using traditional population genetic markers and statistical methods are problematic because the most likely source populations in Latin America were themselves only recently colonized and are genetically very similar. Here, significant population structure among several New World medfly populations is demonstrated through the analysis of DNA sequence variation at four intron loci. Surprisingly, in these newly founded populations, estimates of population structure increase when measures of subdivision take into account the relatedness of alleles as well as their frequency. A nonequilibrium, likelihood-based statistical test that utilizes multilocus genotypes suggests that the sole medfly captured in California during 1996 was introduced from Latin America and was less likely to be a remnant of an ancestral Californian population. Many bioinvasions are hierarchical in nature, consisting of several sequential or overlapping invasion events, the totality of which can be termed a metainvasion. Phylogenetic data from multilocus DNA sequences will be vital to understanding the evolutionary and ecological processes that underlie metainvasions and to resolving their constituent levels.


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