Effects of Sucrose in Adult Diet On Mortality of Males of Anastrepha suspensa (Diptera: Tephritidae)

Abstract

Survival of adult male Caribbean fruit flies, Anastrepha suspense (Loew) fed sucrose and protein in the form of hydrolyzed brewers yeast was studied under greenhouse conditions. Flies fed either a 3:1 mixture of sucrose and protein (optimal) or just sugar from the day of adult eclosion showed no appreciable mortality during the 14-day test period. However, flies fed just protein, or those that were not provided with sugar or protein showed rapid rates of mortality, with 50% mortality occurring at 1.87 and 1.53 days, respectively, and 95% mortality occurring at 2.8 and 2.5 days. Switching flies from the optimal diet to either the protein-only diet or nothing at 7 or 11 days after emergence resulted in values of 50% and 95% mortality, respectively, that were similar to those for flies reared from eclosion on either just protein or nothing. No significant mortality occurred among males maintained on the optimal or sugar-only diets or when flies were shifted from the optimal diet to only sugar at either day 7 or 11 after emergence. These data demonstrate that the flies have an absolute requirement for carbohydrate in the adult diet. Additionally, the results indicate that the flies are incapable of converting of amino acids from protein hydrolysate into precursors useful for generating metabolic energy in sufficient amounts to sustain life.

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