Superparasitism of Ceratitis capitata and Anastrepha fraterculus (Diptera: Tephritidae) by Diachasmimorpha longicaudata (Hymenoptera: Braconidae)
Abstract
Diachasmimorpha longicaudata is the most widely used braconid in biological control programs of fruit flies around the world. The objective of this study was to investigate the influence of different parasitoid-host ratios on D. longicaudata parasitism of Ceratitis capitata and Anastrepah fraterculus. Larvae of these fruit fly species were exposed to 5 different parasitoid-host ratios (4:1, 2:1, 1:1, 1:2 and 1:4). Subsequently, the numbers of oviposition scars and of parasitoid larvae per host were evaluated in the pupal stage. In both tephritid species, a larger number of scars and parasitoid larvae were observed at the 4:1 and 2:1 ratios. Results suggest that females of D. longicaudata can superparasitize both hosts. The differences between the tested parasitoid-host ratios suggest that there is an optimum parasitoid-host ratio for multiplying this natural enemy. These results are important for improving mass rearing programs of D. longicaudata.
Diachasmimorpha longicaudata é o braconídeo mais utilizado em programas de controle biológico de moscas-das-frutas no mundo. O objetivo deste trabalho foi verificar a influência de coespecíficos no parasitismo sobre C. capitata e A. fraterculus, em diferentes razões de parasitoides e hospedeiros. Avaliamos o número de marcas de punctura e o de larvas do parasitoide no interior de pupários das duas espécies hospedeiras, após as larvas de moscas serem expostas nas razões (4:1, 2:1, 1:1, 1:2, 1:4) de parasitoide/hospedeiro. Para ambas as espécies de tefritídeos houve maior número de marcas e de larvas nos pupários nas razões 4:1 e 2:1, onde havia menor densidade de larvas por parasitoide. Os resultados mostram que fêmeas de D. longicaudata podem realizar superparasitismo em ambos hospedeiros. As diferenças entre as razões testadas sugerem uma proporção adequada para otimização dos métodos de multiplicação do inimigo natural. Os resultados tem importância como subsídio para a condução de criações massais em programas de liberação de D. longicaudata.
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