Environmental Entomology (2019) 48, 1286-1296

S. Nanga Nanga, R. Hanna, D. Gnanvossou, A. Fotso Kuate, K.K.M. Fiaboe and C. Djieto-Lordon (2019)
Fruit preference, parasitism, and offspring fitness of Fopius arisanus (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) exposed to Bactrocera dorsalis´ (Diptera: Tephritidae) infested fruit species
Environmental Entomology 48 (6), 1286-1296
Abstract: Fopius arisanus (Sonan) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) is a koinobiont solitary parasitoid of various fruit flies, particularly those in the genus Bactrocera. Researchers introduced F. arisanus into Africa for the biological control of Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel) (Diptera: Tephritidae), a pest of a wide range of fruit trees and vegetables. However, the suitability of host fruit species as egg-laying substrates for parasitoid development remains poorly investigated in tropical Africa. The present study examines the preference and performance of F. arisanus on B. dorsalis reared on eleven fruit species through laboratory choice-test trials. We assessed the oviposition activity, parasitism rate, developmental time, and offspring fitness of F. arisanus on nine cultivated and two wild host fruits species. Oviposition attempts were higher on Psidium guajava (L.) (Myrtales: Myrtaceae) and Mangifera indica (L.) (Sapindales: Anacardiaceae) than on the other host fruits tested. The wasp parasitized host eggs in P. guajava in no-choice experiments. Psidium guajava, Irvingia wombulu (Vermoesen) (Malpighiales: Irvingiaceae), and Irvingia gabonensis (Aubry_Lecomte) Baill (Malpighiales: Irvingiaceae) were suitable for parasitism in choice tests. Of all host fruits tested, the body and hind tibia lengths of both parasitoid sexes emerging from M. indica were longer than on the others. The female ovipositor was long on Annona squamosa (L.) (Magnoliales: annonaceae) and short on Eribotrya japonica ([Thunb.] Lindl.; Rosales: Rosaceae). We obtained the longest preimaginal developmental time for both sexes on E. japonica and the shortest for females and males on Carica papaya (L.) (Brassicales: Caricaceae). These results demonstrate the ability of some tested fruit species to serve for the permanent establishment of F. arisanus in the field.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Rachid Hanna, Komi K.M. Fiaboe

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
biocontrol - natural enemies
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
general biology - morphology - evolution

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Bactrocera dorsalis	Guava (Psidium)
	Bactrocera dorsalis	Mango (Mangifera indica)
Fopius arisanus (parasitoid)	Bactrocera dorsalis	Guava (Psidium)
Fopius arisanus (parasitoid)	Bactrocera dorsalis	Mango (Mangifera indica)