Tetrastichus giffardianus Silvestri (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) is a gregarious koinobiont endoparasitoid of frugivorous dipterans. In recent years, T. giffardianus has been detected parasitizing Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann) (Diptera: Tephritidae) in different Brazilian semiarid sites. Thus, T. giffardianus has potential to be used in the biological control of C. capitata in semi-arid conditions. However, one of the factors limiting the use of this parasitoid is the lack of detailed information on rearing methods and bioecological aspects. Therefore, the main objectives of this study were to demonstrate a rearing technique for T. giffardianus and to determine the increase in population under laboratory conditions. Specimens of T. giffardianus were obtained in the field through of the collection of fruits infested with C. capitata. The specimens obtained were used to adapt a rearing methodology for T. giffardianus under laboratory conditions. Information on demographic parameters for a T. giffardianus population was obtained using the same methodology. Based on the parameters evaluated, we found that the intrinsic rate of population increase of T. giffardianus was 0.34, the average time of one generation was 19.7 days, the population doubling time was 2.03 days and the finite rate of population increase (?) was 1.41. The demographic parameters obtained demonstrated that, with the rearing technique used, it is possible to maintain populations of T. giffardianus and enable them to multiply under laboratory conditions.

Brazil is one of the world's largest guava (Psidium guajava) producing countries, but the economic performance of this crop can be negatively affected by the damage caused by Ceratitis capitata (Diptera: Tephritidae). The main methods for controlling C. capitata are based on broad-spectrum insecticide applications. However, the negative effects of using this control method stimulate the development of sustainable alternatives, such as the use of essential oils (EO). In this sense, the objective of the present study was to evaluate the repellent activity of EO of citronella (Cymbopogon nardus), clove (Syzygium aromaticum), and copaiba (Copaifera officinalis) for repellency of C. capitata in Paluma guava fruits and determine their effects on postharvest fruit quality, under laboratory-controlled conditions. The fruits were treated with citronella, clove, and copaiba EO and placed in covered plastic containers attached to the ends of arenas of 20 cm diameter and 15 cm height. The fruit physical and chemical analysis was carried out based on the same oils applied in the repellent test. The C. nardus essential oil presented a greater repellency of C. capitata females. The EO applications proved to be a good strategy for maintaining the fruit post-harvest quality.