Evaluation of the parasitoid Diachasmimorpha longicaudata (Ashmead) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) reared on a genetic sexing strain of Ceratitis capitata (Wied.) (Diptera: Tephritidae)

M VISCARRET, MARIANA; RUBEN LAROSA,; F SEGURA, DIEGO; OVRUSKI, SERGIO; L CLADERA, JORGE

BIOLOGICAL CONTROL

Elsevier Science

Lugar: California, USA; Año: 2006 vol. 36 p. 147 - 153

1049-9644

If a genetic sexing strain of Ceratitis capitata could be used to produce sterile males and to rear parasitoids at the same time, signiWcant amount of resources could be saved in comparison with the production of these two biological agents separately. We studied here the major biological parameters comparing two strains of the parasitoid Diachasmimorpha longicaudata, one of them reared on a wild type strain of C. capitata: DL(+), and the other on a genetic sexing strain of C. capitata: DL(sw). The mean longevity, fecundity, and sexual proportion of their respective oVspring showed no signiWcant diVerence. Moreover, no diVerence was observed in population parameters such as mean generation time, net reproductive rate, Wnite rate of increase, doubling time, and intrinsic rate of increase. The biological parameters of other artiWcially reared parasitoids in the Tephritidae family are reviewed, and the conclusion is reached that, rearing the parasitoid on this particular genetic sexing strain of C. capitata does not produce any negative eVect on the biological parameters studied.