Effect of Short-Term Low Temperature on the Growth, Development, and Reproduction of Bactrocera tau (Diptera: Tephritidae) and Bactrocera cucurbitae

Abstract

The fruit flies Bactrocera tau (Walker) and B. cucurbitae (Coquillett) are economically important invasive pests on numerous vegetable and fruit species in China. Due to the instability of the early spring climate, temperatures often deviate far below the normal temperature for short periods of time. Such a sudden short-term low temperature may impact the reproduction and development of the two fruit fly species. In this study, the effects of low temperatures (8, 6, 4, 2, 0, −2, and −4°С) on the development and reproduction of these two closely related fruit fly species were studied under laboratory condition. The results showed that their survival rates decreased gradually with corresponding decreases in the tested temperatures. On the other hand, their pre-oviposition periods and their adult female to male sex ratios increased, while the average number of eggs per female of each species and longevity of male adult of B. cucurbitae initially increased and later decreased after exposure to the low-temperature treatments. Overall, low temperatures promoted reproduction in B. cucurbitae and B. tau at temperatures ranging from 24°С to as low as 8°С. Development and reproduction of the two species were negatively affected when temperatures were between 8 to −4°С. The cold resistance of each developmental stage was higher in B. tau than in corresponding stages of B. cucurbitae.

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)

“…In addition to having a harmful effect on phenology of the fly, our findings are indicative of B. dorsalis being more tolerant to high-temperature stresses compared to low-temperature stresses. The similar results have been showed in previous study [ 39 , 47 ]. This might be an explanation for its widespread damage in tropical and subtropical regions.…”

“…For example, old instar larvae of the species were used by Manrakhan, while ours were newly produced within 24 h [ 48 ]. Several studies have reported a decreased survival rate of insects at various developmental stages under short-term temperature stress, including those of B. carambolae [ 51 ], B. cucurbitae [ 47 ], and Ceratitis capitata [ 13 ]. At 31 °C, no significant correlation was noted between the survival rates of all developmental stages and the control group.…”

Duration of Low Temperature Exposure Affects Egg Hatching of the Colorado Potato Beetle and Emergence of Overwintering Adults

“…The fluctuations are larger than extreme high and low temperatures and can affect insect activities [ 21 , 22 ]. Low temperatures can reduce insect metabolism and affect development [ 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 ], overwintering survival [ 27 ], eclosion [ 28 ], death of the insect [ 29 ], although many insects have evolved mechanisms to cope with seasonal temperature changes [ 30 ]. However, abnormal seasonal temperature also will affect insect population dynamics [ 27 ].…”

60Co-γ Radiation Alters Developmental Stages of Zeugodacus cucurbitae (Diptera: Tephritidae) Through Apoptosis Pathways Gene Expression

“…The distribution of Zeugodacus cucurbitae Coquillett, especially on its main hosts, cucumber (Cucumis sativus), watermelon (Citrullus lanatus), and pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo), is primarily across subequatorial Africa, Mauritius, India, Ceylon, Southeast Asia, Japan, and Guam ( Ronald et al 2007 , Hu et al 2008 ). In China, it is mainly distributed across Hainan, Jiangsu, Yunnan, Fujian, Taiwan, Henan, Shanxi, Gansu provinces, and several other localities ( Huang et al 2020 ). Among several factors that contribute to the success of Fruit as one of the most economically important pests throughout the world is primarily due to their ability to spread rapidly under favorable environmental conditions.…”

“…Among several factors that contribute to the success of Fruit as one of the most economically important pests throughout the world is primarily due to their ability to spread rapidly under favorable environmental conditions. The infestation of fruit flies has led to the disruption of the import and export of food and other agricultural products ( Huang et al 2020 ). The Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) proposed a dose of gamma radiation of 150 Gy for fruit flies and 300 Gy for other insects (Follett and Chemistry 2004 ).…”