Journal of Insect Science (2018) 18 (25), 1-8

Fulian Wang, Consolatha Chambi, Zaiyuan Li, Cong Huang, Yuekun Ma, Chuanren Li, Xiaohai Tian, Frank Sangija, Mbuya Sylvain Ntambo, Onesime M. Kankonda, Sumaira Hafeez, Toheed Anwar and Rahat Sharif (2018)
Influence of supplemental protein on the life expectancy and reproduction of the Chinese citrus fruit fly, Bactrocera minax (Enderlein) (Tetradacus minax) (Diptera: Tephritidae)
Journal of Insect Science 18 (25), 1-8
Abstract: Bactrocera minax (Enderlein) (Diptera: Tephritidae) is a major citrus pest in China, whose artificial rearing technology of the adult is not well documented to date. In this study, we tried to determine if supplementing proteins to the adult diet could result in the enhancement of some fitness parameters of B. minax. Four feeds with varying protein source were provided as F0 (water), F1 (sucrose), F2 (sucrose + yeast), and F3 (sucrose + peptone). F0 and F1 being the control, F2 and F3 were protein food types. The results showed that adults fed by F2 and F3 lived longer with 40.1 d and 32.8 d, respectively, had reduced death rates (death peaks were delayed for 5.6 d and 4.1 d, respectively), increased mating frequencies (8.1 and 5.3 per females, 4.7 and 7.3 per males, respectively), and longer mating durations (with 42 d and 34 d). In addition, females recorded an increased adult ovary development, more egg load (with 94.8 and 77.3 brood eggs per ovary) and to greater oviposition rates of 63.2 eggs/female and 19.3 eggs/female. Based on our results, protein supplements enhanced B. minax survival, mating, and fecundity. This study does not only provide basic knowledge to implement artificial rearing of B. minax, but also deepens our understanding on its physiology that could be used to enhance the management of the pest.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
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Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
rearing/culturing/mass production

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Bactrocera minax	Citrus (genus)	China (south)