Effects of Pichia kudriavzevii on development, larval mortality and adult fecundity of Zaprionus indianus (Diptera: Drosophilidae) at different temperatures.

Abstract

Host–pathogens interactions are sensitive to changes in temperature. Increase in temperature significantly influences the distribution of fruit flies. African fig fly, known as Zaprionus indianus (Gupta) (Diptera: Drosophilidae) is one of the invasive, secondary insect pests of fruits. The current article explores the effect of temperature and fungal infection on Z. indianus life history traits. Development of Z. indianus was observed on locally isolated fungus Pichia kudriavzevii (Boidin, Pignal and Besson, 1965) (Saccharomycetales: Pichiaceae) treated and untreated medium. Pre- adult and adult life stages of treated and untreated individuals at different temperatures showed significant difference in trait values and mortality. At extreme temperatures (i.e. 17◦C and 31◦C) the life history traits (egg hatchability, viability, adult emergence, pupation rate and fecundity) in fungi- treated food showed significant reduction in trait values except in development period (egg to adult stage) at 17◦C. High temperatures (28◦C and 31◦C) favour shorter fungal development period but that of Z. indianus was considerably delayed by 5 days at all tested temperatures in treated medium. The current work illustrates the consequences of temperature and fungal infection on the developmental stages and physiological traits of Z. indianus. The combination of the biotic and abiotic factors aids in understanding of the response of pest species of Drosophila to differential temperature ranges and fungal infection; hence, the present study could assist in predicting the driving ecological factors that mediate the containment of Z. indianus, an invasive secondary pest of India.