Florida Entomologist (2013) 96, 391-395

Deisi Luizelli Altafini, Luiza Rodrigues Redaelli and Simone Mundstock Jahnke (2013)
Superparasitism of Ceratitis capitata and Anastrepha fraterculus (Diptera: Tephritidae) by Diachasmimorpha longicaudata (Hymenoptera: Braconidae)
Florida Entomologist 96 (2), 391-395
Abstract: Diachasmimorpha longicaudata is the most widely used braconid in biological control programs of fruit flies around the world. The objective of this study was to investigate the influence of different parasitoid-host ratios on D. longicaudata parasitism of Ceratitis capitata and Anastrepah fraterculus. Larvae of these fruit fly species were exposed to 5 different parasitoid-host ratios (4:1, 2:1, 1:1, 1:2 and 1:4). Subsequently, the numbers of oviposition scars and of parasitoid larvae per host were evaluated in the pupal stage. In both tephritid species, a larger number of scars and parasitoid larvae were observed at the 4:1 and 2:1 ratios. Results suggest that females of D. longicaudata can superparasitize both hosts. The differences between the tested parasitoid-host ratios suggest that there is an optimum parasitoid-host ratio for multiplying this natural enemy. These results are important for improving mass rearing programs of D. longicaudata.
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Database assignments for author(s): Luiza R. Redaelli

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

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Ceratitis capitata
	Anastrepha fraterculus
Diachasmimorpha longicaudata (parasitoid)	Ceratitis capitata
Diachasmimorpha longicaudata (parasitoid)	Anastrepha fraterculus