Different Protein Sources of Larval Diet on the Rearing of Anastrepha fraterculus (Diptera: Tephritidae): Biological and Nutritional Analyses.

Anastrepha fraterculus (Diptera: Tephritidae) is considered an important pest in Neotropical countries. The laboratory rearing of this species should reproduce conditions in nature; thus, special attention is required to the nutritional quality of diets for larval development. Protein components (wheat germ) are costly and account for most production costs in lab insect rearing. In this sense, this work aimed to identify ingredients to replace wheat germ, without compromising diet quality for the lab rearing of A. fraterculus. We tested diets composed of whole rice flour, corn flour, and a mixture of whole wheat flour + soybean flour as substitutes for wheat germ as well as a raw wheat germ diet, considered the control. The protein sources used in the larval diet influenced the biological performance of both the larval and adult stages of A. fraterculus during six generations. The diet containing corn flour and wheat germ showed similar results in the different developmental parameters. The diet with rice flour also provided adequate biological development for A. fraterculus throughout its life cycle and was nutritionally similar to the control. As it is local product, rice flour can replace wheat germ (costly imported product) in artificial diets for A. fraterculus, reducing production costs by roughly 30% without compromising the biological and nutritional parameters of the insects. Faced with this, the rice flour can be considered suitable for the mass rearing of A. fraterculus in the laboratory.

The Population Dynamics and Parasitism Rates of Ceratitis capitata, Anastrepha fraterculus, and Drosophila suzukii in Non-Crop Hosts: Implications for the Management of Pest Fruit Flies.

Understanding the seasonal dynamics inherent to non-crop host-fruit fly-parasitoid interactions is vitally important for implementing eco-friendly pest control strategies. This study assessed the abundance and seasonal infestation levels of three pest fly species, Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann), Anastrepha fraterculus (Wiedemann), Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura), as well as the related saprophytic drosophilids, and their natural parasitism in a disturbed wild habitat characterized by non-crop hosts in northwestern Argentina over 40 months. Juglans australis Griseb (walnut), Citrus aurantium L. (sour orange), Eriobotrya japonica (Thunb.) Lindley (loquat), Prunus persica (L.) Batsch (peach), and Psydium guajava L. (guava) were sampled throughout their fruiting seasons. Fruits were collected from both the tree canopies and the ground. The most abundant puparia was A. fraterculus, followed by C. capitata and D. suzukii. Drosophila species from the D. melanogaster group were highly abundant only in fallen fruits. Spatiotemporal overlaps of different host fruit availability provided suitable sources for pest proliferation throughout the year. The populations of both invasive pests peaked from December to January, and were related to the highest ripe peach availability, whereas the A. fraterculus population peaked from February to April, overlapping with the guava fruiting period. The three pest fly species were parasitized mainly by three generalist resident parasitoids, which are potential biocontrol agents to use within an integrated pest management approach.

Responses of two Anastrepha species' immature stages infesting preferential hosts to different temperature exposures.

Anastrepha fraterculus (Wiedemann) and A. obliqua (Macquart) are important pests of fruit crops. In Brazil, these species cause damage to fruit growing in the South (annual average temperature of 20.9 °C) and Northeast (average yearly temperature of 24 °C). We evaluated the effect of temperature on the viability and development time of A. fraterculus and A. obliqua immature stages in their respective preferred hosts, guava (Psidium guajava L., Myrtaceae) and mango (Mangifera indica L., Anacardiaceae). The duration of egg and pupal stages, egg to pre-pupa, and viability of egg and pupal stages under different temperatures (15, 20, 25, 30, and 35 °C) were assessed. For both species, development time decreased with increasing temperature. Viability in the evaluated stages was only observed between 15 and 30 °C. However, the species responded differently to the exposure temperatures (15 and 30 °C), especially in the pupal stage and from egg to pre-pupa. Anastrepha fraterculus showed a lower tolerance to high temperatures, especially in the pupal stage and from egg to pre-pupa, which may explain its lower importance and economic impact in warmer Brazilian regions. Anastrepha obliqua had a lower tolerance at 15 °C, indicating greater adequacy for temperatures above 20 °C, characteristic of Northeast Brazil, suggesting the capacity to spread to cooler areas with rising temperatures.

Effect of Fruit Volatiles from Native Host Plants on the Sexual Performance of Anastrepha fraterculus sp. 1 Males.

Anastrepha fraterculus sp.1 males are sexually stimulated by the aroma of fruit of its native host Psidium guajava (guava). Other hosts, which are exotic to A. fraterculus, do not enhance male sexual behavior. Here we evaluate the effects of fruit volatile exposure on male A. fraterculus sp. 1 sexual performance using other native hosts, under the hypothesis that male improvement derives from a common evolutionary history between A. fraterculus sp. 1 and its native hosts. Four species were evaluated: Eugenia myrcianthes, Juglans australis, Psidium cattleianum, and Acca sellowiana. Guava was used as a positive control. Males were exposed to fruit from 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm, from day 8 to day 11 post-emergence. On day 12, we evaluated their calling behavior and mating success. Both guava and P. cattleianum enhanced calling behavior. Mating success was enhanced only by guava and a trend was found for P. cattleianum. Interestingly, the two hosts belong to the Psidium genus. A volatile analysis is planned to identify the compounds responsible for this phenomenon. The other native fruits did not improve the sexual behavior of males. Implications of our findings in the management of A. fraterculus sp. 1 are discussed.

Methoprene treatment and its effect on male reproductive organ size and female remating in a fruit fly.

Methoprene, a juvenile hormone analog, is used to accelerate sexual maturation in males of species of economic importance in support to the sterile insect technique (SIT). In the SIT, mass-reared sterile males are released into the field and need to survive until they reach sexual maturation, find a wild female, mate with her and then induce female sexual refractoriness, so she will not remate with a wild counterpart. The use of methoprene shortens the time between release and copulation. However, in South American fruit flies, Anastrepha fraterculus, the ability of methoprene-treated males to inhibit female remating has been shown to be lower than wild males, when methoprene was applied by pupal immersion or topical application. Here we evaluated the possibility of incorporating methoprene into the male diet at different doses and the ability of those males to inhibit female remating, as well as the effect of methoprene on male reproductive organ size, due to the possible correlation between male accessory gland size and their content, and the role of male accessory gland proteins in female inhibition. We found that A. fraterculus males fed with methoprene in the adult protein diet at doses as high as 1% were less likely to inhibit female remating, however, at all other lower doses males had the same ability as untreated males to inhibit female remating. Males fed with methoprene had bigger male accessory glands and testes compared to methoprene-deprived males. We demonstrate that the incorporation of methoprene in adult male diets is possible in this species and potentially useful as a post-teneral, pre-release supplement at doses as low as 0.01%. Even at higher doses, the percentage of females remating after 48 h from the first copulation is sufficiently low in this species so as not compromise the efficiency of the SIT.

Analysis of the Gut Bacterial Community of Wild Larvae of Anastrepha fraterculus sp. 1: Effect of Host Fruit, Environment, and Prominent Stable Associations of the Genera Wolbachia, Tatumella, and Enterobacter.

The genus Anastrepha (Diptera Tephritidae) includes some of the most important fruit fly pests in the Americas. Here, we studied the gut bacterial community of 3rd instar larvae of Anastrepha fraterculus sp. 1 through Next Generation Sequencing (lllumina) of the V3-V4 hypervariable region within the 16S rRNA gene. Gut bacterial communities were compared between host species (guava and peach), and geographical origins (Concordia and Horco Molle in Argentina) representing distinct ecological scenarios. In addition, we explored the effect of spatial scale by comparing the samples collected from different trees within each geographic origin and host species. We also addressed the effect of fruit size on bacterial diversity. The gut bacterial community was affected both by host species and geographic origin. At smaller spatial scales, the gut bacterial profile differed among trees of the same species and location at least in one host-location combination. There was no effect of fruit size on the larval gut bacteriome. Operational Taxonomic Units (OTUs) assigned to Wolbachia, Tatumella and Enterobacter were identified in all samples examined, which suggest potential, non-transient symbioses. Better knowledge on the larval gut bacteriome contributes valuable information to develop sustainable control strategies against A. fraterculus targeting key symbionts as the Achilles' heel to control this important fruit fly pest.

Determining the Sterilization Doses under Hypoxia for the Novel Black Pupae Genetic Sexing Strain of Anastrepha fraterculus (Diptera, Tephritidae).

A common strategy used to maintain sterile fly quality without sacrificing sterility is to irradiate the insects under an oxygen-reduced atmosphere. So far, sterilizing doses for the South American fruit fly Anastrepha fraterculus have only been determined under normoxia. Our study reports for the first time the dose-sterility response under hypoxia for two different A. fraterculus strains. The pupae were derived from a bisexual strain (a Brazilian-1 population) and a recently developed genetic sexing strain (GSS-89). Two hours prior to irradiation, pupae were transferred to sealed glass bottles and irradiated when oxygen concentration was below 3%. Four types of crosses with nonirradiated flies of the bisexual strain were set to assess sterility for each radiation dose. For males from both strains, Weibull dose-response curves between radiation doses and the proportion of egg hatch, egg-to-pupa recovery, and recovery of adults were determined. The GSS males revealed high sterility/mortality levels compared to males from the bisexual strain at doses < 40 Gy, but a dose of 74 Gy reduced egg hatch by 99% regardless of the male strain and was considered the sterilizing dose. The fertility of irradiated females was severely affected even at low doses under hypoxia.

Toxicity of Baits and Their Effects on Population Suppression of Anastrepha fraterculus (Diptera: Tephritidae): Implications for Field Management.

Anastrepha fraterculus (Wiedemann, 1830) is the main pest of fruit in southern Brazil. The use of toxic baits is one of the alternatives for its management. In this study, the toxic baits Anamed + malathion (10,000 mg/liter), Flyral 1.25% + malathion (2,000 mg/liter), and Gelsura (alpha-cypermethrin, 2,000 and 4,000 mg/liter) were highly toxic to the adults of A. fraterculus (lethal time [LT50] < 7 h). In contrast, Success 0.02 CB had an LT50 of 48.4 h. In the absence of rain, all the formulations had residual effects (>90% mortality) on A. fraterculus adults up to 21 d after treatment (DAT). In the presence of 5, 25, and 50 mm of rainfall, there was a significant reduction in the residual effect over time. However, with up to 50 mm of rain, Anamed + malathion and Gelsura 2,000 and 4,000 mg/liter caused between 43.0 and 79.0% of mortality. In the field, during two consecutive seasons (2015/2016 and 2016/2017), applications of Gelsura 2,000 mg/liter (four applications/season) caused population suppression of the pest throughout the apple fruiting period. However, in the 2016/2017 season, in the area using Gelsura, a higher percentage (≈12%) of apple fruits damaged by A. fraterculus females was observed when compared with the area with insecticide application (damage <3%). The toxic bait Gelsura (2,000 and 4.000 mg/liter) was shown to be promising for use in the management of A. fraterculus, with results similar to those with the application of synthetic insecticides.

Relative Tolerance of Three Morphotypes of the Anastrepha fraterculus Complex (Diptera: Tephritidae) to Cold Phytosanitary Treatment.

The Anastrepha fraterculus (Wiedemann) complex is currently comprised of at least eight morphotypes, including several that are likely to be described as new species. It is critical to evaluate whether the morphotypes differ in tolerance to phytosanitary treatments. Temperatures from 0 to 3°C are used as a phytosanitary treatment for some commodities exported from the region and at risk of infestation by the A. fraterculus complex. Description of A. fraterculus morphotypes as new species could result in the annulation of phytosanitary treatment schedules for the new species. This study compared the relative cold tolerance of five populations from three morphotypes of the A. fraterculus complex: Andean, Peruvian, and Brazilian-1. Both a laboratory and wild strain of the Brazilian-1 morphotype were studied. Differences in mortality of third instars of the five A. fraterculus populations reared on nectarines were observed only with short treatment durations at temperatures ranging from 1.38 ± 0.04°C to 1.51 ± 0.08°C (mean ± SEM). Estimated times to achieve the LT99.99682 (probit 9) showed that Brazilian-1 wild, Brazilian-1 laboratory, and Cusco population were the most cold tolerant, followed by Andean and Peruvian, the least cold tolerant morphotype (i.e., Brazilian-1 wild = Brazilian-1 laboratory = Cusco population > Andean > Peruvian). These findings suggest that the current cold treatment schedules of 15 d at ≤ 1.11°C and 17 d at ≤ 1.67°C can be applied as cold treatments to any potential new species that may arise from the A. fraterculus complex.

A Laboratory Bioassay Method to Assess the Use of Toxic Bait on Anastrepha fraterculus (Weidemann 1830).

The lack of standardization of bioassays for the evaluation of toxic bait toxicity on the South American fruit fly, Anastrepha fraterculus (Weidemann 1830), has led to erroneous interpretations of assay results. The objective of this study was to develop a methodology for the standardization and validation of toxicological tests on A. fraterculus toxic bait using the Success™ 0.02CB formulation (80 mg L-1 of spinosad). Anastrepha fraterculus adults, obtained from larvae reared on an artificial diet, showed higher susceptibility (LT50 = 48.96 h) than adults from larvae reared on cattley guava (LT50 = 53.83 h) and mango fruit (LT50 = 53.55 h). Anastrepha fraterculus adults at the age of five (LT50 = 65.30 h), 15 (LT50 = 59.01 h), and 30 (LT50 = 55.53 h) days presented similar toxicity. The consumption of toxic bait (4.74 mg) increased at 15 days, a fact also observed with insects without food deprivation. In addition, the absence of a food source (artificial diet) with the toxic bait significantly reduced adult mortality time by 7 h (LT50 = 57.42 h). In relation to exposure time, adults exposed to toxic bait for 1 h reduced consumption by 25%; however, they showed the same susceptibility as insects exposed to 2 (LT50 = 55.72 h), 4 (LT50 = 57.64 h), and 8 h (LT50 = 57.76 h). However, with 24 h of food deprivation, they had a higher susceptibility (LT50 = 46.48 h). Five-day-old A. fraterculus adults fed an artificial diet before being deprived of food for 12 or 24 h, then exposed to toxic bait for 4 h in the absence of a food source, are considered optimum conditions to evaluate the toxicity of toxic bait.

Gut bacterial diversity and physiological traits of Anastrepha fraterculus Brazilian-1 morphotype males are affected by antibiotic treatment.

BACKGROUND: The interaction between gut bacterial symbionts and Tephritidae became the focus of several studies that showed that bacteria contributed to the nutritional status and the reproductive potential of its fruit fly hosts. Anastrepha fraterculus is an economically important fruit pest in South America. This pest is currently controlled by insecticides, which prompt the development of environmentally friendly methods such as the sterile insect technique (SIT). For SIT to be effective, a deep understanding of the biology and sexual behavior of the target species is needed. Although many studies have contributed in this direction, little is known about the composition and role of A. fraterculus symbiotic bacteria. In this study we tested the hypothesis that gut bacteria contribute to nutritional status and reproductive success of A. fraterculus males. RESULTS: AB affected the bacterial community of the digestive tract of A. fraterculus, in particular bacteria belonging to the Enterobacteriaceae family, which was the dominant bacterial group in the control flies (i.e., non-treated with AB). AB negatively affected parameters directly related to the mating success of laboratory males and their nutritional status. AB also affected males' survival under starvation conditions. The effect of AB on the behaviour and nutritional status of the males depended on two additional factors: the origin of the males and the presence of a proteinaceous source in the diet. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that A. fraterculus males gut contain symbiotic organisms that are able to exert a positive contribution on A. fraterculus males' fitness, although the physiological mechanisms still need further studies.

Isolation of entomopathogenic nematodes in an apple orchard in Southern Brazil and its virulence to Anastrepha fraterculus (Diptera: Tephritidae) larvae, under laboratory conditions / Isolamento de nematoides entomopatogênicos em pomar de macieira no sul do Brasil e virulência em larvas de Anastrepha fraterculus (Diptera: Tephritidae) em condições de laboratório

Abstract Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) are a promising alternative to integrated control in many fruit pests. Few studies were made on the relationship of Anastrepha fraterculus natural population with native EPNs population and other biotic and abiotic factors. The aim of this work was to verify the occurrence of endemic nematodes in an apple orchard, concerning environmental conditions and technical procedure, and access isolates virulence to A. fraterculus larvae. The experiment was conducted during a year taking monthly soil samples from an apple orchard, with and without fallen fruits just above the soil. Samples were baited with Tenebrium molitor and A. fraterculus larvae in laboratory. Canopy and fallen fruits were sampled to access the pest infestation. Seventy three EPN isolates were captured, in 23.2% soil samples, more with T. molitor than with A. fraterculus baits. From the 20 isolates tested against A. fraterculus, only five were pathogenic, and they were identified as Oscheius sp. The nematodes were captured during all seasons in a similar frequency. Soil and weather conditions, presence of fruit over the orchard soil, and A. fraterculus pupae in the fruits had no significant influence on the capture. As a conclusion, nematodes of the genera Oscheius are found in an apple orchard of Porto Amazonas constantly along the year, independently of fluctuations in A. fraterculus population, climate conditions and presence of fruit over the soil. Some of the isolates are pathogenic to A. fraterculus.

Resumo Nematoides entomopatogênicos (NEPs) são alternativa promissora para o controle integrado de várias pragas de frutíferas. Foram feitos poucos estudos ecológicos sobre a relação de populações naturais de Anastrepha fraterculus com a de NEPs nativos e outros fatores bióticos e abióticos. O objetivo desse trabalho foi verificar a ocorrência de nematoides endêmicos de um pomar de macieira, considerando condições ambientais e procedimentos técnicos, e testar a virulência de isolados para larvas de A. fraterculus. O experimento foi conduzido durante um ano coletando mensalmente amostras de solo de um pomar de macieira com e sem frutos acima do solo. Foram feitas armadilhas com larvas de Tenebrium molitor e de A. fraterculus em laboratório. Frutos na copa e caídos no solo foram amostrados para quantificar a infestação da praga. Setenta e três isolados de NEPs foram capturados em 23,2% das amostras de solo, mais em armadilhas de T. molitor do que em A. fraterculus. Dos 20 isolados testados contra A. fraterculus, apenas cinco foram patogênicos, e eles foram identificados como Oscheius sp. Os nematoides foram capturados durante todas as estações e em frequência similar. Condições edáficas e climáticas, presença do fruto acima do solo amostrado e de pupas de A. fraterculus nos frutos não tiveram influência significativa na captura. Como conclusão, nematoides do gênero Oscheius ocorrem em pomar de macieira de Porto Amazonas de forma constante ao longo do ano, independentemente de flutuações na população de A. fraterculus, condições climáticas e presença de fruto sobre a superfície do solo. Alguns isolados são patogênicos para A. fraterculus.

Isolation of entomopathogenic nematodes in an apple orchard in Southern Brazil and its virulence to Anastrepha fraterculus (Diptera: Tephritidae) larvae, under laboratory conditions / Isolamento de nematoides entomopatogênicos em pomar de macieira no sul do Brasil e virulência em larvas de Anastrepha fraterculus (Diptera: Tephritidae) em condições de laboratório

Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) are a promising alternative to integrated control in many fruit pests. Few studies were made on the relationship of Anastrepha fraterculus natural population with native EPNs population and other biotic and abiotic factors. The aim of this work was to verify the occurrence of endemic nematodes in an apple orchard, concerning environmental conditions and technical procedure, and access isolates virulence to A. fraterculus larvae. The experiment was conducted during a year taking monthly soil samples from an apple orchard, with and without fallen fruits just above the soil. Samples were baited with Tenebrium molitor and A. fraterculus larvae in laboratory. Canopy and fallen fruits were sampled to access the pest infestation. Seventy three EPN isolates were captured, in 23.2% soil samples, more with T. molitor than with A. fraterculus baits. From the 20 isolates tested against A. fraterculus, only five were pathogenic, and they were identified as Oscheius sp. The nematodes were captured during all seasons in a similar frequency. Soil and weather conditions, presence of fruit over the orchard soil, and A. fraterculus pupae in the fruits had no significant influence on the capture. As a conclusion, nematodes of the genera Oscheius are found in an apple orchard of Porto Amazonas constantly along the year, independently of fluctuations in A. fraterculus population, climate conditions and presence of fruit over the soil. Some of the isolates are pathogenic to A. fraterculus.(AU)

Nematoides entomopatogênicos (NEPs) são alternativa promissora para o controle integrado de várias pragas de frutíferas. Foram feitos poucos estudos ecológicos sobre a relação de populações naturais de Anastrepha fraterculus com a de NEPs nativos e outros fatores bióticos e abióticos. O objetivo desse trabalho foi verificar a ocorrência de nematoides endêmicos de um pomar de macieira, considerando condições ambientais e procedimentos técnicos, e testar a virulência de isolados para larvas de A. fraterculus. O experimento foi conduzido durante um ano coletando mensalmente amostras de solo de um pomar de macieira com e sem frutos acima do solo. Foram feitas armadilhas com larvas de Tenebrium molitor e de A. fraterculus em laboratório. Frutos na copa e caídos no solo foram amostrados para quantificar a infestação da praga. Setenta e três isolados de NEPs foram capturados em 23,2% das amostras de solo, mais em armadilhas de T. molitor do que em A. fraterculus. Dos 20 isolados testados contra A. fraterculus, apenas cinco foram patogênicos, e eles foram identificados como Oscheius sp. Os nematoides foram capturados durante todas as estações e em frequência similar. Condições edáficas e climáticas, presença do fruto acima do solo amostrado e de pupas de A. fraterculus nos frutos não tiveram influência significativa na captura. Como conclusão, nematoides do gênero Oscheius ocorrem em pomar de macieira de Porto Amazonas de forma constante ao longo do ano, independentemente de flutuações na população de A. fraterculus, condições climáticas e presença de fruto sobre a superfície do solo. Alguns isolados são patogênicos para A. fraterculus.(AU)

Complete mitochondrial genome of the Andean morphotype of Anastrepha fraterculus (Wiedemann) (Diptera: Tephritidae).

The South America fruit fly Anastrepha fraterculus s.l. is an important pest of fruits in Latin America and it is really a complex with at least eight cryptic species. In this work, we report the complete mitochondrial genome for the Andean morphotype of A. fraterculus. The mitochondrial genome is 16,739 nucleotides in size; includes 13 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNA genes, and 2 rRNA genes. Phylogenetic analysis was performed using all the protein-coding genes with other 19 species from Tephritidae.

Flutuação populacional e estimativa do número de gerações de Anastrepha fraterculus (Diptera: Tephritidae) em pomar de macieira em Caçador, Santa Catarina, Brasil / Population fluctuation and estimate of generations number of Anastrepha fraterculus (Diptera: Tephritidae) in apple orchard in Caçador, Santa Catarina, Brazil

This study aimed to evaluated the population fluctuation and estimate the number of Anastrepha fraterculus (Diptera: Tephritidae) generations per year, based on meteorological variables in Caçador, SC, Brazil. The work was carried out in an organic apple orchard from October/2009 to April/2012. The fruit flies numbers were weekly recorded with four McPhail traps baited with Torula®. The association between the number of adults captured and meteorological variables (maximum, average and minimum temperatures, rainfall and relative humidity) was calculated using Pearsons correlation coefficient (p 0.05). In off-season crop (May to September), the daily average of the meteorological variables were evaluated calculated by F or Kruskal-Wallis tests (p 0.05). The number of generations per year was estimated based on minimum temperature from 2009 to 2012, thermal constant and basal temperature, established for A. fraterculus. The South American fruit fly occurred from November to April, with population peaks in January or February. We observed, only in 2010/2011 crop season, correlation between average number of adults captured and maximum, average and minimum temperatures. It was estimated that may occur about eight A. fraterculus generations per year in Caçador, Santa Catarina.(AU)

Este estudo teve como objetivos avaliar a flutuação populacional e estimar o número de gerações por ano de Anastrepha fraterculus (Diptera: Tephritidae), com base nas variáveis meteorológicas de Caçador, Santa Catarina, Brasil. O estudo foi conduzido em pomar orgânico de macieira, de outubro de 2009 a abril de 2012. O número de moscas-das-frutas foi aferido semanalmente, com quatro armadilhas do tipo McPhail iscadas com Torula®. A associação entre o número de adultos capturados e as variáveis meteorológicas (temperaturas máxima, mínima e média, precipitação pluviométrica e umidade relativa do ar) foi feita pelo coeficiente de correlação de Pearson (p 0,05). Para o período de entressafra (maio a setembro), os valores médios diários das variáveis meteorológicas foram calculados pelos testes F ou de Kruskal-Wallis (p 0,05). O número de gerações/ano foi estimado utilizando-se os dados de temperatura mínima de 2009 até 2012, constante térmica e temperatura basal estabelecidos para A. fraterculus. Verificou-se que a mosca-das-frutas sul-americana ocorreu de novembro a abril, com picos populacionais em janeiro ou fevereiro. Apenas na safra 2010/2011 houve correlação entre o número médio de adultos capturados e as temperaturas máxima, média e mínima. Estimou-se que podem ocorrer em torno de oito gerações de A. fraterculus por ano em Caçador, Santa Catarina.(AU)

Flutuação populacional e estimativa do número de gerações de Anastrepha fraterculus (Diptera: Tephritidae) em pomar de macieira em Caçador, Santa Catarina, Brasil / Population fluctuation and estimate of generations number of Anastrepha fraterculus (Diptera: Tephritidae) in apple orchard in Caçador, Santa Catarina, Brazil

This study aimed to evaluated the population fluctuation and estimate the number of Anastrepha fraterculus (Diptera: Tephritidae) generations per year, based on meteorological variables in Caçador, SC, Brazil. The work was carried out in an organic apple orchard from October/2009 to April/2012. The fruit flies numbers were weekly recorded with four McPhail traps baited with Torula®. The association between the number of adults captured and meteorological variables (maximum, average and minimum temperatures, rainfall and relative humidity) was calculated using Pearsons correlation coefficient (p 0.05). In off-season crop (May to September), the daily average of the meteorological variables were evaluated calculated by F or Kruskal-Wallis tests (p 0.05). The number of generations per year was estimated based on minimum temperature from 2009 to 2012, thermal constant and basal temperature, established for A. fraterculus. The South American fruit fly occurred from November to April, with population peaks in January or February. We observed, only in 2010/2011 crop season, correlation between average number of adults captured and maximum, average and minimum temperatures. It was estimated that may occur about eight A. fraterculus generations per year in Caçador, Santa Catarina.

Este estudo teve como objetivos avaliar a flutuação populacional e estimar o número de gerações por ano de Anastrepha fraterculus (Diptera: Tephritidae), com base nas variáveis meteorológicas de Caçador, Santa Catarina, Brasil. O estudo foi conduzido em pomar orgânico de macieira, de outubro de 2009 a abril de 2012. O número de moscas-das-frutas foi aferido semanalmente, com quatro armadilhas do tipo McPhail iscadas com Torula®. A associação entre o número de adultos capturados e as variáveis meteorológicas (temperaturas máxima, mínima e média, precipitação pluviométrica e umidade relativa do ar) foi feita pelo coeficiente de correlação de Pearson (p 0,05). Para o período de entressafra (maio a setembro), os valores médios diários das variáveis meteorológicas foram calculados pelos testes F ou de Kruskal-Wallis (p 0,05). O número de gerações/ano foi estimado utilizando-se os dados de temperatura mínima de 2009 até 2012, constante térmica e temperatura basal estabelecidos para A. fraterculus. Verificou-se que a mosca-das-frutas sul-americana ocorreu de novembro a abril, com picos populacionais em janeiro ou fevereiro. Apenas na safra 2010/2011 houve correlação entre o número médio de adultos capturados e as temperaturas máxima, média e mínima. Estimou-se que podem ocorrer em torno de oito gerações de A. fraterculus por ano em Caçador, Santa Catarina.

Flutuação populacional e estimativa do número de gerações de Anastrepha fraterculus (Diptera: Tephritidae) em pomar de macieira em Caçador, Santa Catarina, Brasil / Population fluctuation and estimate of generations number of Anastrepha fraterculus (Diptera: Tephritidae) in apple orchard in Caçador, Santa Catarina, Brazil

Este estudo teve como objetivos avaliar a flutuação populacional e estimar o número de gerações por ano de Anastrepha fraterculus (Diptera: Tephritidae), com base nas variáveis meteorológicas de Caçador, Santa Catarina, Brasil. O estudo foi conduzido em pomar orgânico de macieira, de outubro de 2009 a abril de 2012. O número de moscas-das-frutas foi aferido semanalmente, com quatro armadilhas do tipo McPhail iscadas com Torula®. A associação entre o número de adultos capturados e as variáveis meteorológicas (temperaturas máxima, mínima e média, precipitação pluviométrica e umidade relativa do ar) foi feita pelo coeficiente de correlação de Pearson (p < 0,05). Para o período de entressafra (maio a setembro), os valores médios diários das variáveis meteorológicas foram calculados pelos testes F ou de Kruskal-Wallis (p < 0,05). O número de gerações/ano foi estimado utilizando-se os dados de temperatura mínima de 2009 até 2012, constante térmica e temperatura basal estabelecidos para A. fraterculus. Verificou-se que a mosca-das-frutas sul-americana ocorreu de novembro a abril, com picos populacionais em janeiro ou fevereiro. Apenas na safra 2010/2011 houve correlação entre o número médio de adultos capturados e as temperaturas máxima, média e mínima. Estimou-se que podem ocorrer em torno de oito gerações de A. fraterculus por ano em Caçador, Santa Catarina.(AU)

This study aimed to evaluated the population fluctuation and estimate the number of Anastrepha fraterculus (Diptera: Tephritidae) generations per year, based on meteorological variables in Caçador, SC, Brazil. The work was carried out in an organic apple orchard from October/2009 to April/2012. The fruit flies numbers were weekly recorded with four McPhail traps baited with Torula®. The association between the number of adults captured and meteorological variables (maximum, average and minimum temperatures, rainfall and relative humidity) was calculated using Pearson's correlation coefficient (p < 0.05). In off-season crop (May to September), the daily average of the meteorological variables were evaluated calculated by F or Kruskal-Wallis tests (p < 0.05). The number of generations per year was estimated based on minimum temperature from 2009 to 2012, thermal constant and basal temperature, established for A. fraterculus. The South American fruit fly occurred from November to April, with population peaks in January or February. We observed, only in 2010/2011 crop season, correlation between average number of adults captured and maximum, average and minimum temperatures. It was estimated that may occur about eight A. fraterculus generations per year in Caçador, Santa Catarina.(AU)

Assessment of Injuries Caused by Anastrepha fraterculus (Wied.) (Diptera: Tephritidae) on the Incidence of Bunch Rot Diseases in Table Grape.

Anastrepha fraterculus (Wied.) is the main insect pest of table grapes (Vitis vinifera) in the Southern Region of Brazil. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effect of fruit puncturing by adult females and larval infestation by A. fraterculus on the occurrence of bunch rot disease in the grape (cultivar "Itália") by evaluating grapes (a) punctured for oviposition by females of A. fraterculus, sterilized in laboratory with novaluron (40 mg L(-1)) and further spray-inoculated separately with Botrytis cinerea (1 × 10(6) conidia mL(-1)), Glomerella cingulata (1 × 10(6) conidia mL(-1)), and bacteria and yeast that cause sour rot (1 × 10(5) cells mL(-1)), (b) grapes punctured for oviposition by non-sterilized females with pathogen spraying, (c) grapes with mechanical wounds and pathogen spraying, (d) grapes with no wounds and with pathogen spraying, (e) grapes punctured for oviposition by A. fraterculus chemically sterilized in laboratory with novaluron, (f) grapes punctured for oviposition by A. fraterculus non-sterilized in laboratory with novaluron, (g) grapes with mechanical wounds, and (h) grapes with no sterilization or pathogen spraying. Our data indicated that the mechanical and oviposition wounds caused by A. fraterculus increased the percentage of grapes infected by B. cinerea, G. cingulata, and microorganisms of acid rot. The grape puncturing by A. fraterculus and the mechanical wound allows the penetration of B. cinerea and microorganisms leading to acid rot. We conclude that the fruit fly A. fraterculus may facilitate phytopathogens penetration leading to bunch rots in the table grape Itália.

Morphometric Differentiation Among Anastrepha fraterculus (Diptera: Tephritidae) Exploiting Sympatric Alternate Hosts.

Anastrepha fraterculus (Wiedemann) is currently considered a complex of cryptic species infesting fruits from Mexico to Argentina and represents an interesting biological model for evolutionary studies. Moreover, detecting and quantifying behavioral, morphological, and genetic differentiation among populations is also relevant to the application of environment-friendly control programs. Here, phenotypic differentiation among individuals coexisting in the wild in a Northern region of Argentina was unveiled and associated with host choice. Six morphometric traits were measured in sympatric flies exploiting three different host species. Phenotypic variation was shown to be host-dependent regardless of geographical or temporal overlap. Flies collected from synchronous alternate hosts (peach and walnut) differed from each other despite the lack of geographical isolation. By contrast, flies emerging from guavas that ripen about two months later than peach and walnut showed no significant differentiation in comparison to flies collected from walnuts, but they differ significantly from flies originating from peaches. This result is consistent with the hypothesis that the same population of flies shifts from walnuts to guavas throughout the year, whereas the population of flies that uses peaches as a host is probably exploiting other alternate hosts when peach availability decreases. Further research is needed to study the underlying mechanism. Results are consistent with previous molecular markers (inter-simple sequence repeat-ISSR) research on flies stemming from the same hosts and the same area, suggesting that differentiation among flies emerging from alternative hosts occurs at both genetic and phenotypic levels. The contribution of host preference in long-term genetic differentiation is discussed.

Sex chromosomes in mitotic and polytene tissues of Anastrepha fraterculus (Diptera, Tephritidae) from Argentina: a review.

Cytogenetics, which is considered a fundamental tool to understand basic genetic and genomic issues of species, has greatly contributed to the description of polymorphisms both at inter- and intra-specific level. In fact, cytogenetics was one of the first approaches used to propose Anastrepha fraterculus (Diptera: Tephritidae) as a complex of cryptic species. Different morphological variants of sex chromosomes have been reported among Argentinean populations of Anastrepha fraterculus. However, since this high structural variability in sex chromosomes does not pose a reproductive barrier, their role in speciation is yet to be unveiled. This review provides an update on general aspects of cytogenetics in Argentinean Anastrepha fraterculus populations, focused on the prevalence of X-Y arrangements.