Semi-artificial rearing of the larvae of Anastrepha obliqua (Diptera: Tephritidae) in Manaus, Amazonas-Brazil

Abstract

Larvae of the West Indian fruit fly, Anastrepha obliqua (Macquart), were successfully reared on a meridic diet of: agar, wheat flour, sucrose, nipagin, antibiotic, sodium benzoate, yeast, water and different amounts from 10 to 50 percent of powdered dehydrated araçá-boi (Eugenia stipitata) (Myrtaceae). For each evaluated diet, 100 larvae were reared. Anastrepha obliqua F1 were successfully reared. The meridic diets with 20 to 40 percent of powdered dehydrated araçá-boi were observed to provide the optimum growth medium for larval development. Under these conditions, 38% of the larvae completed development at 26 1C, 88 6% RH, and a photoperiod of 12:12 (L:D). The average life cycle was 43.3 days (eggs, 4 days, larvae, 26.3 days, pupae, 13 days). These results provide a basis for rearing A. obliqua in semi-artificial conditions. However more studies are needed to better understand pupal humidity requirements.