Nutritional status and the foraging behaviour of Bactrocera tryoni with particular reference to protein bait spray

Poisoned protein baits comprise a recognized method for controlling tephritid fruit flies in the form of a ‘lure-and-kill’ technique. However, little is known about how a fly's internal protein and carbohydrate levels (i.e. nutritional status) might influence the efficacy of this control. In the present study, the relationships between the internal levels of protein (as measured by total body nitrogen) and carbohydrate (as measured by total body carbon) of the fruit fly Bactrocera tryoni (Froggatt) (Diptera: Tephritidae) are investigated, as well as its foraging behaviours in response to protein, fruit and cue-lure (a male-specific attractant) baits. Small cage behavioural experiments are conducted using flies from cultures of different nutritional status and wild flies sampled from the field during the fruiting cycle of a guava crop. For female flies, increasing total body nitrogen is correlated with decreased protein foraging and increased oviposition activity; increasing total body carbon levels generate the same behavioural changes except that the oviposition response is not significant. For males, there are no significant correlations between changes in total body nitrogen and total body carbon and protein or cue-lure foraging. For wild flies from the guava orchard, almost all of them are sexually mature when entering the crop and, over the entire season, total body nitrogen and total body carbon levels are such that protein hunger is unlikely for most flies. The results infer strongly that the requirements of wild, sexually mature flies for protein are minimal and that flies can readily gain sufficient nutrients from wild sources for their physiological needs. The results offer a mechanistic explanation for the poor response of male and mature female fruit flies to protein bait spray.

Distribution and eradication of an exotic tephritid fruit fly in Australia: Relevance of invasion theory

Data from the eradication of the incursion of Bactrocera papayae Drew and Hancock (Dipt.: Tephritidae) in Australia (1995-1998) are used to assess the significance of various aspects of invasion theory, including the influence of towns on establishment, influence of propagule pressure on the pattern of establishment, and the existence of source-sink dynamics. Because there were no sentinel traps in place, considerable spread had occurred before the eradication campaign started. The distribution of fly density around the epicentre in the town of Cairns and a transect along the main traffic routes to the north and south fitted a Cauchy model with a tail having the same slope as a power model with an exponent of -2.4 extending to 160 km. The Cauchy model indicated that 50% of the flies on the transect would have occurred within 3.2 km of the epicentre, 90% within 13.2 km, and 99% within 60 km. The two major satellites at Mareeba (35 km from the epicentre in Cairns) and Mossman (65 km) were not used for the transect data and had respectively 15 and 30 times the density predicted by the model. The proportion of traps that caught flies (a measure of site occupancy) fell with distance from the epicentre. B. papayae was trapped consistently on only three of the 16 rainforest transects that were surveyed and these were relatively close to urban areas where eradication efforts were intense. Despite there being no eradication effort in the rainforest, the trends to extinction were similar to those in adjacent areas. The strategy of initially concentrating eradication efforts on the core and major satellites while maintaining a quarantine barrier at the airport and the boundaries of the infested area appears to be the key to the containment and rapid eradication of the incursion.

Resolution of Cryptic Species Complexes of Tephritid Pests to Enhance SIT Application and Facilitate International Trade

Tephritid fruit flies (Diptera: Tephritidae) are considered by far the most important group of horticultural pests worldwide. Female fruit flies lay eggs directly into ripening fruit, where the maggots feed causing fruit loss. Each and every continent is plagued by a number of fruit fly pests, both indigenous as well as invasive ones, causing tremendous economic losses. In addition to the direct losses through damage, they can negatively impact commodity trade through restrictions to market access. The quarantine and regulatory controls put in place to manage them are expensive, while the on-farm control costs and loss of crop affect the general well-being of growers. These constraints can have huge implications on loss in revenues and limitations to developing fruit and vegetable-based agroindustries in developing, emergent and developed nations. Because fruit flies are a global problem, the study of their biology and management requires significant international attention to overcome the hurdles they pose. The Joint Food and Agriculture Organisation / International Atomic Energy Agency (FAO/IAEA) Programme on Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture has been on the foreground in assisting Member States in developing and validating environment-friendly fruit fly suppression systems to support viable fresh fruit and vegetable production and export industries. Such international attention has resulted in the successful development and validation of a Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) package for the Mediterranean fruit fly. Although demands for R&D support with respect to Mediterranean fruit fly are diminishing due to successful integration of this package into sustainable control programmes against this pest in many countries, there were increasing demands from Member States in Africa, Asia and Latin America, to address other major fruit fly pests and a related, but sometimes neglected issue of tephritid species complexes of economic importance. Any research, whether it is basic or applied, requires a taxonomic framework that provides reliable and universally recognized entities and names. Among the currently recognized major fruit fly pests, there are groups of species whose morphology is very similar or identical, but biologically they are distinct species. As such, some insect populations that are grouped taxonomically within the same pest species, display different biological and genetic traits and show reproductive isolation which suggest that they are different species. On the other hand, different species may have been taxonomically described, but there may be doubt as to whether they actually represent distinct biological species or merely geographical variants of the same species. This uncertain taxonomic status has practical implications on the effective development and use of the SIT against such complexes, particularly at the time of determining which species to mass-rear, and significantly affects international movement of fruit and vegetables through the establishment of trade barriers to important agricultural commodities which are hosts to these pest tephritid species...

Laboratory-rearing Techniques for Tephritid Fruit Flies in the South Pacific

Laboratory colonies of 15 economically important species of multi-host fruit flies (Diptera:Tephritidae) have been established in eight South Pacific island countries for the purpose of undertaking biological studies, particularly host status testing and research on quarantine treatments. Laboratory rearing techniques are based on the development of artificial diets for larvae consisting predominately of the pulp of locally available fruits including pawpaw, breadfruit and banana. The pawpaw diet is the standard diet and is used in seven countries for rearing 11 species. Diet ingredients are standard proportions of fruit pulp, hydrolysed protein and a bacterial and fungal inhibitor. The diet is particularly suitable for post-harvest treatment studies when larvae of known age are required. Another major development in the laboratory rearing system is the use of pure strains of Enterobacteriaceae bacterial cultures as important adult-feeding supplements. These bacterial cultures are dissected out of the crop of wild females, isolated by sub-culturing, and identified before supply to adults on peptone yeast extract agar plates. Most species are egged using thin, plastic receptacles perforated with 1 mm oviposition holes, with fruit juice or larval diet smeared internally as an oviposition stimulant. Laboratory rearing techniques have been standardised for all of the Pacific countries. Quality control monitoring is based on acceptable ranges in per cent egg hatch, pupal weight and pupal mortality. Colonies are rejuvenated every 6 to 12 months by crossing wild males with laboratory-reared females and vice versa. The standard rearing techniques, equipment and ingredients used in collecting, establishment, maintenance and quality control of these fruit fly species are detailed in this paper.

Biocontrol of Chromolaena odorata in Timor Leste

Chromolaena odorata (L.) King and Robinson (Asteraceae) is a major weed in Timor Leste, affecting grazing lands and subsistence farms, reducing productivity and food security. It was the focus of a biocontrol project funded by the Australian Government from 2005-2009. During this period, the gall fly Cecidochares connexa (Macquart) (Diptera: Tephritidae) was introduced from Papua New Guinea and Indonesia, where it is widespread. From these initial releases, the gall fly established at seven sites and was subsequently re-distributed to most areas in Timor Leste where chromolaena was a problem. It established at most of the release sites that were revisited and caused a visible reduction in plant density and height. Overall, control of chromolaena by the gall fly in Timor Leste is limited by the severe dry season and the widespread use of fire in clearing lands for agriculture, both of which reduce the ability of gall fly populations to persist at damaging levels. Thus additional agents that can tolerate prolonged dry periods are required to increase the level of control of chromolaena.

Biocontrol of Chromolaena odorata in Papua New Guinea

Chromolaena odorata (L.) King and Robinson (Asteraceae) is a significant agricultural weed in Papua New Guinea (PNG), affecting plantations, food gardens and grazing lands. It was the focus of a collaborative biocontrol program funded by the Australian Government between 1998 and 2007. Chromolaena was recorded at 680 sites in 13 provinces of PNG through surveys, field releases of biocontrol agents and feedback from public awareness programs. Three biocontrol agents, the moth Pareuchaetes pseudoinsulata Rego Barros (Lepidoptera: Arctiidae), the stemgalling fly Cecidochares connexa (Macquart) (Diptera: Tephritidae) and the leaf mining fly Calycomyza eupatorivora Spencer (Diptera: Agromyzidae), were introduced to control chromolaena. Cecidochares connexa was found to be the most effective of the agents introduced as it quickly established at over 300 sites where it was released and spread up to 100km in five years from some sites. Experimental field plots established to determine the impact of the agents on chromolaena, showed that the size of chromolaena infestations decreased with the presence of C. connexa. A survey was conducted to quantify the social and economic benefits of biocontrol of chromolaena to landholders. Chromolaena is considered to be under substantial/significant control in nine provinces in PNG, with about 50% of respondents stating that there is less than 50% of chromolaena remaining following the release of the gall fly. This has resulted in landholders spending less time clearing chromolaena and the re-establishment of small-scale subsistence farms and the regeneration of natural vegetation. Crop yield and income generated from the sale of agricultural produce have increased by at least 50% since chromolaena was brought under biocontrol. It is anticipated that the gall fly will continue to spread and control chromolaena in areas where it has not yet reached, thereby further reducing the impact of the weed in PNG.

The mating system of the true fruit fly Bactrocera tryoni and its sister-species, Bactrocera neohumeralis

The frugivorous 'true' fruit fly, Bactrocera tryoni (Queensland fruit fly), is presumed to have a non-resourced-based lek mating system. This is largely untested, and contrary data exists to suggest Bactrocera tryoni may have a resource-based mating system focused on fruiting host plants. We tested the mating system of Bactrocera tryoni, and its close sibling Bactrocera neohumeralis, in large field cages using laboratory reared flies. We used observational experiments that allowed us to determine if: - (i) mating pairs were aggregated or non-aggregated; - (ii) mating system was resource or non-resource based; - (iii) flies utilised possible landmarks (tall trees over short) as mate-rendezvous sites, and; - (iv) males called females from male-dominated leks. We recorded nearly 250 Bactrocera tryoni mating pairs across all experiments, revealing that: - (i) mating pairs were aggregated; - (ii) mating nearly always occurred in tall trees over short; - (iii) mating was non-resource based, and; - (iv) that males and females arrived at the mate-rendezvous site together with no evidence that males preceded females. Bactrocera neohumeralis copulations were much more infrequent (only 30 mating pairs in total), but for those pairs there was a similar preference for tall trees and no evidence of a resource-based mating system. Some aspects of Bactrocera tryoni mating behaviour align with theoretical expectations of a lekking system, but others do not. Until evidence for unequivocal female choice can be provided (as predicted under a true lek), the mating system of Bactrocera tryoni is best described as a non-resource based, aggregation system for which we also have evidence that land-marking may be involved. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Biofilme comestível biodegradável de amido de mandioca e refrigeração reduzem dano larval de mosca-das-frutas.

Embora o cenário seja favorável à ampliação do agronegócio fruta, um dos maiores entraves vem sendo a mosca-das-frutas (Tephritidae), um grupo de insetos-praga de importância econômica que exige rígido programa de controle integrado diretamente no campo e, após a colheita de frutos, exige processos agroindustriais eficientes e de acordo com as exigências dos mercados.A goiaba Psidium guajava L., utilizada como modelo no estudo, é hospedeiro primário da mosca-das-frutas sofrendo infestação variável de acordo com a região do país, sendo os frutos infestados por 11 espécies nativas do gênero Anastrepha e pela mosca-do-mediterrâneo Ceratitis capitata (Wied.). No entanto, ainda há carência de métodos de controle que sejam adequados e eficientes pois os frutos da goiabeira são sensíveis à temperatura, e a ação de larvas na polpa do fruto amplia perdas, descarte e diminui renda de agricultores (Figura 1).

Entomofauna associated with the olive tree in southern Portugal

Since 2004 several studies have been carried out in order to identify the main insect species that usually inhabiting the olive ecosystem. The field trials have taken place in two olive groves, one situated in Olhão and the other one in Loulé, both in Algarve and also under Integrated Pest Management (IPM). The sampling techniques used differ according to their purpose (sticky traps, pheromone traps, pitfall traps and samples of aerial parts of the trees such as inflorescences, leaves, fruits and branches). Results showed that the main insect pests of olive tree in southern Portugal were the olive fruit fly Bactrocera oleae Gmelin (Diptera: Tephritidae) and the olive moth Prays oleae Bernard (Lepidoptera: Hyponeumetidae). Other insect pests were also found in our olive groves namely the olive psyllid Euphyllura olivina Costa (Homoptera: Psyllidae), the olive dark beetle Phloeotribus scarabaeoides Bernard (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), the mediterranean black scale Saissetia oleae (Olivier) (Homoptera: Coccidae) and the olive thrip Liothripes oleae Costa (Thysanoptera: Phlaeothripidae). Concerning the auxiliary insects that were found in our olives groves they belong to the following orders and families: Diptera (Syrphidae), Coleoptera (Carabidae, Coccinelidae and Staphylinidae), Hemiptera (Anthocoridae and Miridae), Neuroptera (Chrysopidae) and Hymenoptera (Braconidae, Encyrtidae, Eulophidae, Formicidae and Trichogrammatidae).

Parasitóides de Phyllcnistis citrella stainton (Lepidóptera: gracillariidae) em pomares de citros em Montenegro, RS

Este trabalho integrou um projeto mais amplo, envolvendo uma equipe multidisciplinar da UFRGS, contando com o apoio da EMATER/RS e da ECOCITRUS, intitulado "Produção de mudas e frutas cítricas, com manejo ecológico, em viveiros e pomares contaminados com cancro cítrico". O principal objetivo do projeto foi estudar a viabilidade da produção de citros com manejo ecológico. Para isto, além da dinâmica populacional do minador dos citros e seus inimigos naturais, foram estudadas doenças foliares, fungos associados a cochonilhas, fungos micorrízicos e a dinâmica populacional da mosca-das-frutas (Dip.: Tephritidae) nos mesmos pomares. Baseado na idéia de pesquisa participativa, que busca a ação social através da transferência horizontal de conhecimento entre produtores e pesquisadores (Cooper & Denning, 2001), foram avaliadas alternativas de controle das principais pragas e/ou doenças com a associação de novas tecnologias e o resgate da cultura regional.

Biology and fertility life table of the South American fruit fly Anastrepha fraterculus on grape

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Injúrias causadas por mosca-das-frutas sul-americana em cultivares de videira

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Dinâmica populacional e incidência de moscas-das-frutas e parasitoides em cultivares de pessegueiros (Prunus Persica L. Batsch) no município de presidente prudente-sp

Esta pesquisa teve como objetivos avaliar a dinâmica populacional e registrar a diversidade de moscas-das-frutas (Diptera: Tephritoidea) em cultivares de pessegueiro Tropical, Talismã, Aurora 2, Aurora 1, Dourado 2 e Doçura 2, enxertadas sobre os porta-enxertos 'Okinawa' e Umê, em Presidente Prudente-SP. Foram realizadas as correlações da dinâmica populacional com a temperatura e a precipitação, e também a infestação com as características químicas dos frutos, Sólidos Solúveis e Acidez Titulável. No período de julho de 2004 a dezembro de 2006, a dinâmica populacional de moscas-das-frutas foi obtida através de coletas semanais de moscas-das-frutas em armadilhas McPhail, e a incidência foi determinada através da coleta de 30 frutos/planta/cultivar. O delineamento estatístico adotado foi o inteiramente casualizado, com cinco repetições. Ceratitis capitata foi predominante nas cultivares de pessegueiros estudadas. Não foi observada correlação significativa entre população de moscas-das-frutas e as variáveis de temperatura e precipitação, e sólidos solúveis e ácidez titulável. Entre as cultivares de pêssego, Aurora 2 apresentou maior infestação por C. capitata, da ordem de 22 e 23% nos anos 2004 e 2006, respectivamente. Também foi registrada a incidência de Neosilba spp. em frutos de pêssego. Doryctobracon areolatus (Braconidae), Tetrastichus giffardianus (Eulophidae) e Pachycrepoideus vindemmiae (Pteromalidae) foram recuperados de pupários de Tephritidae.

Flutuação populacional de adultos de Anastrepha fraterculus (Wied.) em cultivo protegido e convencional de videira

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Moscas-Das-Frutas em Cultivares de Cafeeiros de Presidente Prudente, SP

Coffee is considered the primary host of the Mediterranean fruit fly Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann). The infestation of C. capitata in the State of São Paulo has reached economic importance in coffee plantations. Although little information about changes caused by the fly on the coffee beverage, it is known that the fruit fly infestation causes rapid change from cherry to raisin stage, causing qualitative damage on the parchment coffee production. The objective of this work was to study the population dynamics and diversity of Tephritidae and Lonchaeidae in coffee cultivars of Icatu Vermelho IAC 4045, Vermelho IAC 99, Novo Mundo 388-17-1, Obatã IAC 1669-20, Icatu Amarelo IAC 2944, grafted on Apoatã (IAC 2258) (Coffea canephora) and Icatu Vermelho IAC 4045 ungrafted and Apoatã (IAC 2258)-grafted with approximately 3 years. The experiment was conducted in Presidente Prudente, São Paulo State, Brazil, from June 2006 to July 2008. The experimental design was a randomized block with four replications in a factorial design (3 years X 6 cultivars). From each plot of 100 plants we randomly collected 250 mature fruits. The samples were taken at 15 day intervals. The population dynamics were evaluated by using one plastic McPhail trap per cultivar. After 26 months a total of 36,932 specimens of C. capitata were trapped in all cultivars, corresponding to 49.27% males and 50.73% females. Approximately 83.3% of the specimens were collected from January to December 2007. The population fluctuation showed population peaks in May, June and July, relative to fruit ripening period. We trapped 21 specimens of A. montei Lima and A. fraterculus (Wied.). The coffee fruits of Presidente Prudente, SP, are infested by the following species of Lonchaeidae: Neosilba pendula (Bezzi), N. zadolicha McAlpine & Steyskal, N. inesperata Strikis & Prado and Neosilba pradoi Strikis & Lerena. Neosilba pendula occurred in all evaluated cultivars and N. inesperata was recoverd only from Icatu Amarelo IAC 2944 and IAC Icatu Vermelho 4045/un-grafted. No Anastrepha specimen was recovered from the fruits. Cultivars did not differ due to tephritid and lonchaeid infestations, but in 2008 the highest infestation by C. capitata occurred in the field.