Residual toxicity of insecticides used in Tunisian citrus orchards on the imported parasitoid Diachasmimorpha longicaudata (Hymenoptera: Braconidae): Implications for IPM program of Ceratitis capitata (Diptera: Tephritidae)

Citrus agro-industry is globally harshened mainly by Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann), the most worldwide destructive tephritid fruit fly species. Citrus agro-industry is one of the pillars of Tunisia economy, and by hence, harshened by this species. Tunisia has established an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) programme against citrus pests, including C. capitata, that rely on the structured use of pesticides, on the application several trapping protocols, along with pilot-scale sterile insect technique program and, since 2013, with pilot-scale releases of the braconid parasitoid Diachasmimorpha longicaudata Ashmed (Hymenoptera: Braconidae). Insecticide side-effects on parasitoids and other natural enemies are being requested for a successful implementation of biological control within any IPM programme. However, these data are almost scarce for the braconid species D. longicaudata. To this end, we have determined the side-effects of malathion, methidathion, acetamiprid, azadiractin, abamectin, deltametrin+thiacloprid and spinosad, as the most popular insecticides used in Tunisia either as fresh residues or at several aged time points, on the parasitoid D. longicaudata according the IOBC pesticide harm-classification. IOBC classification evolution of residues over time had allowed determining the best combination of pesticide applications in a structured fashion with the viable releases of D. longicaudata for the control of C. capitata in Tunisian citrus agro-ecosystems.

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Genetic analysis of medfly populations in an area of sterile insect technique applications

Journal of Pest Science ◽

10.1007/s10340-021-01337-8 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Rubén Sancho ◽

Ana Guillem-Amat ◽

Elena López-Errasquín ◽

Lucas Sánchez ◽

Félix Ortego ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Genetic Markers ◽

Sterile Insect Technique ◽

Ceratitis Capitata ◽

Natural Populations ◽

Low Frequency ◽

Fruit Fly ◽

Wild Populations ◽

Genetic Sexing ◽

Environmental Implications ◽

Genetic Sexing Strains

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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Effectiveness of Sterile Insect Technique for Medfly (Ceratitis capitata, Wiedemann, 1824) Control in Citrus Orchards of Moulouya Perimeter North East of Morocco

ISPEC Journal of Agricultural Sciences ◽

10.46291/ispecjasvol4iss3pp405-421 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4 (3) ◽

pp. 405-421

Author(s):

Jamal BEN YAZID ◽

Z. CHAFIK ◽

I. BIBI ◽

E. KHARMACH

Keyword(s):

Sterile Insect Technique ◽

Ceratitis Capitata ◽

Control Method ◽

Male Population ◽

Control Techniques ◽

North East ◽

North Eastern ◽

Citrus Orchards ◽

Eastern Morocco ◽

Trap Catches

The Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) is an effective pest control method developed worldwide against many species of Fruit Flies. It involves the release of male insects sterilized, at pupae instar, by exposure to ionizing radiation. The Area-wide control of medfly (Ceratitis capitata), with SIT based on sterile males release combined to other control techniques, was implemented since 2017 as a pilot area in Moulouya Perimeter in North-eastern Morocco. The main objective of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of this tool in controlling Medfly and estimate sterile male population densities from data collected from trap catches after the release of a pre-determined number of sterile males in five Citrus orchards (0, 500, 1000 and 3000 sterile males per hectare) and the calculation of FTD (fly/trap/day) of sterile and wild males. The result showed that the percentage of recaptured males and FTD Sterile indices were related to release density by power function regression, while the sterile to wild ratio and release density were linear regression-adjusted. The finding confirmed the effectiveness of release in reducing the fly population in the TIS area by reducing the rate of citrus infestation in field and export shipments.

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Effect of geographical directions, height and the color of yellow traps in capture of Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann, 1824) in citrus orchards

Acta agriculturae Slovenica ◽

10.14720/aas.2017.109.3.08 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 109 (3) ◽

pp. 561

Author(s):

Amir Hossein TOORANI ◽

Habib ABBASIPOUR

Keyword(s):

Ceratitis Capitata ◽

Ground Level ◽

Fruit Fly ◽

Mediterranean Fruit Fly ◽

Lemon Yellow ◽

Agricultural Pests ◽

Mazandaran Province ◽

Yellow Color ◽

Yellow Traps ◽

Citrus Orchards

<p>Mediterranean fruit fly, <em>Ceratitis capitata </em>(Wiedemann, 1824) (Dip.: Tephritidae) is one of the most destructive agricultural pests in the world. To replace chemical control methods, as well as the timing of the peak population of Mediterranean fruit fly, the yellow sticky vertical traps were used in this study. The research was carried out in some citrus orchards of various cities of Mazandaran province of Iran, during the four months from August to November 2016. To determine the best type of yellow color to trap this fly, four types of yellow colors with measured wavelength of reflection, including the fluorescent yellow (538 nm), lemon yellow (574 nm), yellow (602 nm) and amber yellow (641 nm), were used. Also, to determine the best geographical direction and appropriate height for installation of yellow cards, four cardinal directions and five different heights of 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5 and 3 m above ground level were determined and the cards were installed. The results of mean comparison of captured flies in different treatments showed that there are significant differences between all of them. The results indicated that the fluorescent yellow, heights of 1.5 and 2 m, the south direction, and month October had the highest number of capture in yellow cards.</p>

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Influence of Ground Predators on the Survival of the Mediterranean Fruit Fly Pupae, Ceratitis capitata, in Spanish Citrus Orchards

BioControl ◽

10.1007/s10526-005-2938-6 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 51 (5) ◽

pp. 611-626 ◽

Cited By ~ 46

Author(s):

Alberto Urbaneja ◽

Ferran García Marí ◽

David Tortosa ◽

Cristina Navarro ◽

Pilar Vanaclocha ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Ceratitis Capitata ◽

Fruit Fly ◽

Mediterranean Fruit Fly ◽

Citrus Orchards ◽

The Mediterranean

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Dispersion of the Mediterranean fruit fly Ceratitis capitata Wiedem. (Diptera: Tephritidae) in mandarin orchards on Montenegrin seacoast

Pesticidi i fitomedicina ◽

10.2298/pif1301031r ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 28 (1) ◽

pp. 31-38

Author(s):

Sanja Radonjic

Keyword(s):

Ceratitis Capitata ◽

Fruit Fly ◽

Mediterranean Fruit Fly ◽

Economic Aspect ◽

Citrus Unshiu ◽

Important Host ◽

Citrus Orchards ◽

The Mediterranean

The Mediterranean fruit fly Ceratitis capitata Widem. has been an established pest on the Montenegrin seacoast for more than ten years, although with variable abundance in different years and localities. From an economic aspect, its most important host in Montenegro is the mandarin unshiu (Citrus unshiu Marc.), particularly its cultivar Owari. Dispersion of C. capitata in citrus orchards (prevailingly mandarin) was monitored on Baosici, Lastva Grbaljska and Bar localities during 2003 and 2004. The results of this study showed that, during both years, peripheral-row trees (primarily the first row) in citrus orchards were more exposed to attacks by C. capitata than middle and last rows. In 2003, the average number of larvae in mandarin fruits in first rows varied from 11.4?0.59 to 40.1?0.67, from 7.04?0.47 to 28.8?0.48 and from 2.9?0.07 to 17.3?0.54 on the localities of Baosici, Lastva Grbaljska and Bar, respectively. On the same localities, it ranged from 7.4?0.34 to 16.9?0.4, from 0.0 to 18.7?0.32 and from 0.0 to 9.93?0.56 in middle rows, and from 3.0?0.28 to 16.8?0.77, from 0.0 to 20.9?0.38 and from 0.0 to 13.1?0.39 in last rows. Data collected at Baosici, Lastva Grbaljska and Bar in 2003 also suggest that the average number of larvae per mandarin fruit in first rows was 1.78-2.08 times higher than in middle rows, and 1.25-1.77 times higher than in last rows. In 2004, the average number of larvae in mandarin fruits in first rows varied from 7.3?0.27 to 8.3?0.45, from 7.2?0.23 to 17.6?0.59 and from 3.8?0.1 to 8.8?0.25 on the localities of Baosici, Lastva Grbaljska and Bar, respectively. On these localities, it ranged from 1.7 ?0.17 to 3.3?0.19, from 1.1?0.12 to 3.5?0.8 and from 0.0 to 0.8?0.14 in middle rows, and from 1.7?0.17 to 3.6?0.32, from 0.0 to 4.0?0.26 and from 0.0 to 0.2?0.06 in last rows. Data collected in 2004 also showed that the average number of larvae in mandarin fruits in first rows on the same localities was 3.12-15.75 times higher than in middle rows, and 2.94 -6.3 times higher than in last rows.

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A survey on the occurrence and flight periods of fruit fly species (Diptera: Tephritidae) in a fruit growing area in southwest Nicaragua, 1994/95

Bulletin of Entomological Research ◽

10.1017/s000748530003741x ◽

1997 ◽

Vol 87 (4) ◽

pp. 405-412 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

M. Niklaus-Ruiz Borge ◽

T. Basedow

Keyword(s):

Host Plants ◽

Ceratitis Capitata ◽

Mangifera Indica ◽

Fruit Fly ◽

Fruit Trees ◽

Fruit Flies ◽

Population Peak ◽

Diachasmimorpha Longicaudata ◽

Anastrepha Obliqua ◽

Fruit Growing

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).

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Parasitism of Diachasmimorpha longicaudata (Ashmead) on two fruit fly species

Arquivos do Instituto Biológico ◽

10.1590/1808-1657000172017 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 85 (0) ◽

Author(s):

Laís Pacheco Sá ◽

Clarice Diniz Alvarenga ◽

Zenobia Cardoso dos Santos ◽

Maria das Dores da Cruz Souza ◽

Carlos Gustavo da Cruz ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Host Species ◽

Free Choice ◽

Ceratitis Capitata ◽

Fruit Fly ◽

Chi Square ◽

Anastrepha Fraterculus ◽

Diachasmimorpha Longicaudata ◽

Choice Tests ◽

The One ◽

Chi Square Tests

ABSTRACT: The aim of the present study was to investigate the parasitism of two fruit fly species by different Diachasmimorpha longicaudata strains. Females of two parasitoid strains were reared on Ceratitis capitata or Anastrepha fraterculus that were conditioned in adapted containers. Individual parasitoids were offered 20 larvae for 1 h, using no-choice (20 C. capitata or 20 A. fraterculus) or free-choice (10 of each species) assays. Parasitism was verified by counting scars, and the pupae were classified as non-parasitized (no scars), parasitized (one scar), or superparasitized (multiple scars). Parasitism intensity was compared by evaluating the proportions of non-parasitized, parasitized, and superparasitized larvae. Parasitism intensity and scar frequency were analyzed as functions of host species and parasitoid strain, using chi-square tests. In the non-choice tests, females of both parasitoid strains parasitized the larvae, regardless of host species. However, when the parasitoids had a choice, they preferred to superparasitize A. fraterculus larvae, which are larger than C. capitata larvae. In addition, the female parasitoids parasitized most of the host larvae, regardless of parasitoid strain or host species. However, the frequency of non-parasitized pupae was higher when the offered host species was different from the one in which the parasitoid was reared, and the frequency of superparasitized pupae was higher when the offered host species was the same as the one in which the parasitoid was reared.

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A generic white pupae sex selection phenotype for insect pest control

10.1101/2020.05.08.076158 ◽

2020 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

CM Ward ◽

RA Aumann ◽

MA Whitehead ◽

K Nikolouli ◽

G Leveque ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Sterile Insect Technique ◽

Ceratitis Capitata ◽

Insect Pests ◽

Insect Pest ◽

Fruit Fly ◽

Sex Selection ◽

Bactrocera Dorsalis ◽

Insect Pest Control ◽

Rapid Generation ◽

Conserved Gene

AbstractMass releases of sterilized male insects, in the frame of sterile insect technique programs, have helped suppress insect pest populations since the 1950s. In the major horticultural pests Bactrocera dorsalis, Ceratitis capitata, and Zeugodacus cucurbitae, a key phenotype white pupae (wp) has been used for decades to selectively remove females before releases, yet the gene responsible remained unknown. Here we use classical and modern genetic approaches to identify and functionally characterize causal wp− mutations in these distantly related fruit fly species. We find that the wp phenotype is produced by parallel mutations in a single, conserved gene. CRISPR/Cas9-mediated knockout of the wp gene leads to the rapid generation of novel white pupae strains in C. capitata and B. tryoni. The conserved phenotype and independent nature of the wp− mutations suggest that this technique can provide a generic approach to produce sexing strains in other major medical and agricultural insect pests.

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