Mating Competitiveness in Field Cages of a New Genetic Sexing Strain of the Mediterranean Fruit Fly (Diptera: Tephritidae) in Argentina

JORGE L. CLADERA; MARÍA T. VERA; GRACIELA CALCAGNO; JUAN C. VILARDI; DONALD O. MCINNIS; ERIC STOLAR; DIEGO F. SEGURA; NATALIA PETIT-MARTY; PAULA GÓMEZ CENDRA; ARMANDO ALLINGHI; GABRIELA BONPLAND; MARCELA RODRIGUERO; FLAVIA KRSTICEVIC; LAURA HANSEN; GONZALO SEGADE; KARINA BARBORINI; TAMARA HEER

ANNALS OF THE ENTOMOLOGYCAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA

Año: 2002 vol. 95 p. 133 - 138

0013-8746

Genetic sexing strains (GSS) are being developed for use in sterile insect technique programs against Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann). Among other important factors, the utility of these new strains depends upon the ability of laboratory-reared males to compete efficiently with wild males in mating with wild females in the field. The present study evaluated the mating ability of a new GSS, Cast 191, in competition with wild males. A well-known GSS, Seib 6-96, was also included in the test. The effect of irradiation on the mating competitiveness of the Cast 191 strain was assessed. Non-irradiated Cast 191 males outcompeted wild males, whereas irradiated males performed as well as wild counterparts. These results demonstrated a good mating performance of the strain and also an effect of irradiation on male mating success. Seib 6-96 performed less efficiently than Cast 191 but did not differ from its own performance reported two years ago. Mating duration was similar for Cast males, either irradiated or not, compared to wild males. Seib 6-96 had shorter copula duration times than wild and Cast males