DEVELOPMENT OF Diachasmimorpha longicaudata (HYMENOPTERA:
BRACONIDAE) IN LARVAE OF Ceratitis capitata (DIPTERA: TEPHRITIDAE)
EXPOSED TO ENTOMOPATHOGENIC NEMATOIDES
Fruit flies. Parasitoids. Heterorhabditis. Life cycle stages. Susceptibility
period.
Biological control programs for Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann)
(Diptera: Tephritidae) involving the release of the parasitoid Diachasmimorpha
longicaudata (Ashmead) (Hymenotera: Braconidae) have been conducted. However, in
regions with high rates of fruit fly infestation, it is necessary to adopt an additional
control method and/or agent. Thus, entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) have become
a great option that has been incorporated into the management of Tephritidae, as they
infect fruit fly larvae when they leave the fruit to pupate in the soil.in the soil. In
previous studies, EPNs have caused higher mortality in parasitized larvae; however, it
has been possible to observe the hatching of some D. longicaudata larvae in infected C.
capitata. Thus, the present study aimed to evaluate the development of the parasitoid D.
longicaudata in C. capitata larvae after exposure to EPNs and to determine the stage of
development when the parasitoid is less susceptible to EPNs. For this, parasitoid
development was accompanied by larval and pupal dissection of the parasitized C.
capitata exposed or not exposed to EPNs that showed symptoms of infection. The
parasitoid susceptibility period was determined by applying EPNs to C. capitata on
different days after parasitism. Based on the results obtained, it is possible to use both
biocontrol agents to control fruit flies, as long as the release of the parasitoid is
established and the application of EPNs occurs sequentially at the appropriate time.