Validation of a methodology for rearing Spalangia cameroni (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) on Ceratitis capitata (Diptera: Tephritidae). Issue 6 (24th April 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Tormos, J.; Sabater-Muñoz, B.; Asís, J.D.; Beitia, F.
• Is Part Of: Canadian entomologist. Volume 146:Issue 6(2014)
• Page Start: 676
• Page End: 683
• Publication Date: 2014-04-24
• Subjects: Entomology -- Periodicals; Insects -- Periodicals; 595.705
• DOI: 10.4039/tce.2014.15
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0008-347X

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="normal"> <title>Abstract</title> <p> <italic>Spalangia cameroni</italic> Perkins (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) is a pupal parasitoid of the Medfly, <italic>Ceratitis capitata</italic> (Wiedmann) (Diptera: Tephritidae), one of the principal pests of Spanish agriculture. <italic>Spalangia cameroni</italic> is a potential biocontrol agent for this pest if methods can be developed to mass-rear it effectively on <italic>C. capitata</italic>. Here, we report on the use of freeze-killed pupae of <italic>C. capitata</italic> to maintain a laboratory colony of <italic>S. cameroni</italic>, with a view to setting up a mass-rearing protocol. Realised fecundity, adult progeny, sex ratio, and superparasitism level were the principal parameters analysed. No significant differences were found in respect of these parameters between living or freeze-killed Medfly pupae used as hosts, although sex ratios showed a bias towards females in the case of freeze-killed pupae. Freeze-killed pupae were concluded to present the best option for the laboratory-rearing of <italic>S. cameroni</italic>, on account of ease of rearing, and avoidance of the emergence of Medfly adults.</p> </abstract>