Pupation Substrate Type and Volume Affect Pupation, Quality Parameters and Production Costs of a Reproductive Colony of Ceratitis capitata (Diptera: Tephritidae) VIENNA 8 Genetic Sexing Strain

Abstract

Adequate pupation substrates and substrate volume are critical factors in the mass-rearing of insects for Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) applications. To identify an ideal pupation substrate for a reproductive colony of Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann) VIENNA 8 genetic sexing strain, we first examined pupation in cellulose from recycled paper (cellulose I), sawdust, fine wheat bran, vermiculite and coconut fiber using a volume of 2.5–12.5 mL of substrate for each 5 mL volume of fly larvae. We found a positive relationship between substrate volume and pupation, with cellulose I generating the highest proportions of pupation and coconut fiber the lowest. Higher proportions of female flies (white pupae) pupated in sawdust. The proportion of female fliers increased as substrate volume rose in sawdust and coconut fiber, whereas it decreased in vermiculite and cellulose. In a second experiment, we tested three types of cellulose differing in physicochemical characteristics (celluloses I, II and III), sawdust, and fine wheat bran using a substrate:larvae ratio of 1:1. The three types of cellulose produced the highest pupation levels. The highest proportions of female fliers were observed in sawdust, and cellulose types III and II. Cellulose III and sawdust at relatively low volumes were more cost-effective to produce one million pupae than other substrates, including fine wheat bran used in a mass-rearing facility in Mexico.

Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) and Its Applications

“…Pascacio-Villafán and colleagues (2021) also tested different pupation substrates and substrate volumes for the Mediterranean fruit fly Ceratitis capitata VIENNA 8 genetic sexing strain (GSS) that is currently used by almost all operational SIT programs against this major agricultural pest worldwide [ 7 ]. They concluded that cellulose III at low volumes is the best pupation substrate, with respect to productivity, quality and cost-effectiveness.…”

Combined Trojan Y Chromosome Strategy and Sterile Insect Technique to Eliminate Mosquitoes: Modelling and Analysis

“…SIT works by releasing radiation-sterilized males to an existing population, to mate with wild females so that they have no viable o spring [11,12]. SIT has been successfully applied in the control of several agricultural pests such as invasive fruit ies, lepidopteran, and Hemiptera [13][14][15][16][17]; however, it has a limited ability to control mosquitoes due to the three issues. (1) It requires introducing large quantities of sterile mosquitoes.…”