Response of the Egg-Larval Parasitoid, Fopius ceratitivorus Wharton (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) to the Gall-Forming Tephritid Fly, Eutreta xanthochaeta (Diptera: Tephritidae)

Abstract

We investigated the potential impact of the imported biological control agent Fopius ceratitivorus Wharton, on the non-target beneficial tephritid, Eutreta xanthochaeta on the lantana weed, Lantana camara. In a no-choice test, where the wasp was offered nothing but infested lantana weed, and in a choice test, where the wasp was offered both the non-target fly and its normal host, Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann), F. ceratitivorus showed no positive response and caused neither parasitism nor mortality to E. xanthochaeta eggs or larvae. Infested plants exposed to F. ceratitivorus were reared until all flies eclosed, over which time not a single wasp emerged, indicating that F. ceratitivorus is unable to recognize the microhabitat of this gall-forming tephritid. These results, in addition to previous work with two other non-target tephritids, suggest minimal risk of environmental impact from this new biological control agent