The effects of adult density, hypoxia conditions, temperature and photoperiod on the emergence, mating, flight ability, survival and fecundity of adult Diachasmimorpha longicaudata (Ashmead) were evaluated when insects were packaged in a 20 l cylindrical container for field release. Survival was the only parameter that was significantly affected by density and hypoxia. Emergence and fecundity were noticeably delayed with decreased temperature, although survival increased. Mating depended mainly on temperature, but photoperiod was not a determinant; however, the presence of light significantly increased fecundity and flight ability of adults. Adult emergence averaged 60%, but in high packaging densities a greater incidence of damage to antennae occurred, likely because of mating behaviours in overcrowded conditions. The information generated by this study is useful for the field release of higher quality parasitoid adults in projects intended to utilise augmentative biological control to suppress fruit fly pest populations.
Packing, shipping, holding and releasing methods of sterile tephritid fruit flies for the control of pest populations have recently received special attention because they are the final steps in the application of the sterile insect technique (SIT). In this study, we examined the effect of four holding densities, 0.524, 0.599, 0.674 and 0.748 sterile adults/cm 2 , and four holding periods (5, 6, 7 and 8 days) in sterile West Indian fruit flies, Anastrepha obliqua (Diptera: Tephritidae). The key parameters of adult fliers (AF, also known as absolute fliers) and adult survival under stress were measured. We also compared two methods to determine the percentage of AF (called the tray and sample methods) after the holding period and the chilling process. Our results indicate that differences in holding densities and holding periods may not affect the percentage of AF and the survival of sterile adults if they are supplied with enough food and water, allowing the release of higher numbers of sexually mature sterile males. When estimating the percentage of AF, the evaluated methods resulted equivalent and reliable, but the sample method showed a clear advantage by allowing the use of lower numbers of sterile flies to perform the test, which may represent important savings in SIT programmes. These findings will require further studies on sexual competitiveness in field cages to better determine the optimal management of sterile flies in
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