Journal of Applied Entomology (2008) 132, 789-797
S.A. Mohamed, S. Ekesi and R. Hanna (2008)
Evaluation of the impact of Diachasmimorpha longicaudata on Bactrocera invadens and five African fruit fly species
Journal of Applied Entomology 132 (9-10), 789-797
Abstract: Diachasmimorpha longicaudata (Ashmead), a solitary koinobiont larval-prepupal endoparasitoid of fruit flies, was introduced into Kenya for testing and final release against the recently discovered invasive species, Bactrocera invadens Drew, Tsuruta and White in Africa. Laboratory experiments were conducted to determine host preference, host acceptability for oviposition and physiological suitability of B. invadens and five other indigenous tephritid fruit fly species -Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann), Ceratitis cosyra (Walker), Ceratitis rosa Karsch, Ceratitis fasciventris (Bezzi) and Ceratitis anonae Graham - for the development of D. longicaudata. Females of D. longicaudata visited all host-larval patches, and were also attracted to these hosts at comparable levels. Acceptability, successful development of parasitoid progenies and their sex ratio varied widely across hosts. C. capitata yielded the highest parasitoid numbers whereas B. invadens was the only host that yielded a female-biased sex ratio. Larvae of B. invadens, C. rosa, C. fasciventris and C. anonae mounted differential immune reaction towards D. longicaudata eggs. Although, the parasitoid performed poorly on the target host B. invadens, it was able to form new association with C. cosyra and C. capitata. The prospect of using this parasitoid in biological control of African indigenous fruit flies is discussed.
(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): Sunday Ekesi
Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
biocontrol - natural enemies
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
general biology - morphology - evolution
classical biocontrol/new introduction
Pest and/or beneficial records:
| Beneficial | Pest/Disease/Weed | Crop/Product | Country | Quarant.
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ceratitis capitata | Kenya | |||
| Bactrocera dorsalis | Kenya | |||
| Diachasmimorpha longicaudata (parasitoid) | Ceratitis capitata | |||
| Diachasmimorpha longicaudata (parasitoid) | Bactrocera dorsalis |
