Oviposition behavior of Anastrepha obliqua (Maquart, 1835) (Diptera: Tephritidae) and preference between two mango (Mangifera indica L.) varieties

Anastrepha obliqua (Macquart, 1835) (Diptera: Tephritidae) is a species of fruit fly that occurs in the Neotropical region and is associated with 78 host plants. In Brazil, the species is one of the most economically important pests for fruit growers, especially in mango cultivation in the northeast region. Evaluating the oviposition behavior of polyphagous species such as fruit flies contributes to a better understanding of their fruit choice and infestation patterns and provides a basis for developing pest management techniques. In this study, we evaluated the changes in oviposition behavior of A. obliqua at different times of day and fruit fly ages with the highest oviposition activity. In addition, we tested whether A. obliqua exhibits any preference for Tommy Atkins and/or Palmer mango varieties. Our results showed higher oviposition activity in the morning and at the ages of 15-16 and 17-18 days. We also observed a preference among females to lay eggs on Tommy mangoes over Palmer ones

Influence of different tropical fruits on biological and behavioral aspects of the Mediterranean fruit fly Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann) (Diptera, Tephritidae)

Influence of different tropical fruits on biological and behavioral aspects of the Mediterranean fruit fly Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann) (Diptera, Tephritidae). Studies on Ceratitis capitata, a world fruit pest, can aid the implementation of control programs by determining the plants with higher vulnerability to attacks and plants able to sustain their population in areas of fly distribution. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the influence of eight tropical fruits on the following biological and behavioral parameters of C. capitata: emergence percentage, life cycle duration, adult size, egg production, longevity, fecundity, egg viability, and oviposition acceptance. The fruits tested were: acerola (Malpighia glabra L.), cashew (Anacardium occidentale L.), star fruit (Averrhoa carambola L.), guava (Psidium guajava L.), soursop (Annona muricata L.), yellow mombin (Spondias mombin L.), Malay apple (Syzygium malaccense L.), and umbu (Spondias tuberosa L.). The biological parameters were obtained by rearing the recently hatched larvae on each of the fruit kinds. Acceptance of fruits for oviposition experiment was assessed using no-choice tests, as couples were exposed to two pieces of the same fruit. The best performances were obtained with guava, soursop, and star fruit. Larvae reared on cashew and acerola fruits had regular performances. No adults emerged from yellow mombin, Malay apple, or umbu. Fruit species did not affect adult longevity, female fecundity, or egg viability. Guava, soursop, and acerola were preferred for oviposition, followed by star fruit, Malay apple, cashew, and yellow mombin. Oviposition did not occur on umbu. In general, fruits with better larval development were also more accepted for oviposition.<br>Influência de diferentes frutos tropicais em aspectos biológicos e comportamentais da mosca-das-frutas Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann) (Diptera, Tephritidae). Estudos em Ceratitis capitata, uma praga agrícola, pode auxiliar na implementação do programa de controle determinando as plantas com maior vulnerabilidade de serem atacadas e plantas capazes de sustentar sua população em áreas de distribuição da mosca. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a influência de oito frutos tropicais em alguns parâmetros biológicos e comportamentais de C. capitata: porcentagem de emergência, duração do ciclo de vida, tamanho do adulto, produção de óvulos, longevidade, fecundidade, viabilidade dos ovos e aceitação de frutos para oviposição. Os frutos testados foram: acerola (Malpighia glabra L.), caju (Anacardium occidentale L.), carambola (Averrhoa carambola L.), goiaba (Psidium guajava L.), graviola (Annona muricata L.), cajá (Spondias mombin L.), jambo (Syzygium malaccense L.), and umbu (Spondias tuberosa L.). Os parâmetros biológicos foram obtidos colocando larvas recém eclodidas em cada fruto testado. Nos experimentos de aceitação para a oviposição, as moscas foram expostas a dois pedaços das mesmas frutas. A melhor performance foi obtida com goiaba, graviola e carambola. Larvas criadas no caju e na acerola tiveram performance regular. Nenhum adulto emergiu do cajá, jambo ou umbu. As frutas não influenciaram a longevidade dos adultos, fecundidade das fêmeas, ou viabilidade. Goiaba, graviola e acerola foram preferidos para oviposição, seguidos por carambola, jambo, caju e cajá. Oviposição não ocorreu em umbu. Em geral, frutos nos quais houve um melhor desenvolvimento larval, também foram mais aceitos para oviposição

Oviposition behavior of Ceratitis capitata wiedemann (Diptera: Tephritidae): Association between oviposition preference and larval performance in individual females

The oviposition preference and larval performance of females of Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann) were examined. Wild or laboratory-reared females were tested for oviposition preference in relation to papaya fruit in different stages of ripeness, as well as to two different fruits: papaya and apple. The results demonstrated that both laboratory-reared and wild females preferred ripe papaya fruit compared to unripe fruit for oviposition, and that ripe papaya was the best for larval performance. When oviposition preference was tested with different fruits (papaya and apple), both wild and laboratory-reared larvae developed better in papaya. However, only wild females showed a preference for oviposition on papaya as opposed to apple. Laboratory-reared females showed no oviposition preference on fruits that resulted in better larval performance

Oviposition preference and larval performance in Ceratitis capitata (Díptera, Tephritidae)

Experiments concerning oviposition preference were carried out on Ceratitis capitata to determine whether females are able to preferentially oviposit on natural hosts in which the larvae develop better. The results indicated that the females do not preferentially oviposit on hosts of better nutritive value for the larvae