Comparative demography ofBactrocera dorsalis(Hendel) andCeratitis capitata(Wiedemann) (Diptera: Tephritidae) on deciduous fruit

Abstract

Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel) and Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann) are highly polyphagous fruit fly species and important pests of commercial fruit in regions of the world where they are present. In South Africa, B. dorsalis is now established in the north and northeastern parts of the country. B. dorsalis is currently absent in other parts of the country including the Western Cape Province which is an important area for the production of deciduous fruit. C. capitata is widespread in South Africa and is the dominant pest of deciduous fruit. The demographic parameters of B. dorsalis and C. capitata on four deciduous fruit types Prunus persica (L.) Batsch, Prunus domestica L., Malus domestica Borkh. and Pyrus communis L. were studied to aid in predicting the potential population establishment and growth of B. dorsalis in a deciduous fruit growing environment. All deciduous fruit types tested were suitable for population persistence of both B. dorsalis and C. capitata. Development was fastest and survival highest on nectarine for both species. B. dorsalis adults generally lived longer than those of C. capitata, irrespective of the fruit types that they developed from. B. dorsalis had a higher net reproductive rate (Ro) on all deciduous fruit tested compared to C. capitata. However, the intrinsic rate of population increase was estimated to be higher for C. capitata than for B. dorsalis on all fruit types tested primarily due to C. capitata's faster generation time. Provided abiotic conditions are optimal, B. dorsalis would be able to establish and grow in deciduous fruit growing areas.

Fruit Fly in a Challenging Environment: Impact of Short-Term Temperature Stress on the Survival, Development, Reproduction, and Trehalose Metabolism of Bactrocera dorsalis (Diptera: Tephritidae)

“…Healthy adults at 3–6 d of emergence were provided with bananas to lay eggs. The bananas were pierced with a toothpick before placing in cages [ 42 ]. Females readily laid eggs in the holes created by the toothpick.…”

Phytosanitary risk associated with illegal importation of pest-infested commodities to the South African agricultural sector

“…The discovery of B. dorsalis on the African continent during 2003 raised biosecurity concerns in South Africa where agriculture is of major socio-economic importance. 28 This is a pest species that has recently been introduced into eastern Africa and has subsequently made a rapid expansion across tropical Africa. 29 B. dorsalis is highly polyphagous 30,31 , it has more than 40 known cultivated and wild hosts in Benin 32 , and is expected to have a broad host range as exhibited by some other members in the B. dorsalis complex.…”

“…33 Given the apparently rapid spread of B. dorsalis across Africa, and its impacts on local horticulture, the possibility of this species being introduced to, and establishing in and invading other regions of the world, should be prevented. 34 B. dorsalis is currently considered one of the major pests in Africa 28,35 , displacing indigenous fruit flies 36 . This invasive species has major economic impacts, ranking among the most devastating pests of local agricultural products, particularly mango.…”

Climate Change and Invasion Expansion Jointly Reshape Geographic Ranges of Invasive Tephritid Fruit Flies

“…Co-invasions of fruit flies have occurred in Africa and America, and could be a common phenomenon for tephritid invasions as several individuals of multiple tephritid species often infest the same orchards (Rodriguez-Rodriguez et al 2018) and even fruits (Pieterse et al 2020;Ganie et al 2013). Indeed, the co-habitation of Orifly and Medfly in a single fruit has been reported in cases from Hawaii and Africa (Haramoto and Bess 1970;Hussain et al 2016).…”