Irradiation ofAnastrepha ludens(Diptera: Tephritidae) eggs for the rearing of the fruit fly parasitoids,Fopius arisanusandDiachasmimorpha longicaudata(Hymenoptera: Braconidae)

Abstract

Irradiated eggs of Anastrepha ludens were evaluated as hosts of two fruit-fly parasitoids for mass rearing. Three different ages of A. ludens eggs (24-, 48-and 72-h-old) were analyzed for hatchability after being subjected to radiation doses of 2. 5, 5, 7.5, 10, 12.5, 15, 17.5, 20, 22.5, 25, 27.5 and 30 Gy. No significant reduction in hatchability occurred with the 72-h-old eggs at any of the radiation dose levels and no adult emergence occurred at radiation doses greater than 25 Gy. Seventy two-h-old eggs irradiated above 25 Gy were found to be the best age and dose for fruit fly egg hosts to be used in mass rearing the egg parasitoid Fopius arisanus. It was demonstrated that larvae hatching from the irradiated A. ludens eggs can also be used as hosts for Diachasmimorpha longicaudata. Parasitoid emergence of both species was not statistically different from the control group (parasitoids emerged from non-irradiated host). The fecundity of parasitoids emerged from irradiated hosts also was similar to that obtained with parasitoids reared with non-irradiated hosts. There were some statistical differences between the curves for longevity. However, these were not clearly correlated with radiation dose. The results of this study will aid in the design of improved methods for mass rearing and release of fruit-fly parasitoids.

Parasitoids of Queensland Fruit Fly Bactrocera tryoni in Australia and Prospects for Improved Biological Control

“…Advances in rearing techniques include the use of irradiated larvae which improves parasitism rates by compromising the hosts’ immune system [ 66 ], reducing the likelihood that immature parasitoids will be encapsulated. Irradiation of hosts also offers the advantage that only parasitised hosts will emerge and flies that are not parasitised fail to develop [ 67 , 68 ]. The effect of a sublethal does of radiation is usually not apparent until the next moult [ 69 ].…”

Application of Nuclear Techniques to Improve the Mass Production and Management of Fruit Fly Parasitoids

“…Previous research into post-harvest phytosanitary treatments using radiation helped with calculations to determine the different doses needed to suppress egg, larval and pupal development of various Tephritidae [ 37 ]. Within this general framework it is possible to apply radiation not only to larval tephritids, but also to other host stages such as eggs and pupae, with adequate results regarding parasitoid emergence and effectiveness [ 19 , 38 , 39 , 40 , 41 ].…”

Performance OfPsyttalia Humilis(Hymenoptera: Braconidae) Reared From Irradiated Host on Olive Fruit Fly (Diptera: Tephritidae) In California

“…Many fruit ßy parasitoids, including Diachasmimorpha longicaudata (Ashmead) Smittle 1990, Cancino et al 2009a), D. tryoni (Cameron) (Cancino et al 2009a), Doryctobracon areolatus (Szé pligeti) (Palenchar et al 2009), Fopius arisanus (Sonan) (Cancino et al 2009b), P. humilis (Yokoyama et al 2010), and P. concolor (Szé pligeti) (Hepdurgun et al 2009a(Hepdurgun et al , 2009b, have been successfully reared on irradiated larvae of factitious hosts including Medßy, Mexican fruit ßy, Anastrepha ludens (Loew), and other Anastrepha spp. Cancino et al (2009c) also reared eight native larval-prepupal and pupal parasitoids on irradiated Anastrepha sp.…”