Oviposition of fruit flies (Diptera: Tephritidae) and its relation with the pericarp of citrus fruits

Abstract

Fruit flies (Diptera: Tephritidae) represent a threat to fruit growing worldwide, mainly the citrus culture, however, biological studies show that fruit flies are not perfectly adapted to this host. This study investigated oviposition of Anastrepha fraterculus (Wiedemann, 1830) and Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann, 1824) and its relation with the pericarp of citrus fruits. We evaluated the relationship between depth of oviposition of A. fraterculus and C. capitata and epicarp thickness of orange [Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck)] 'Navelina' and tangerine [C. reticulata (L.)] 'Clemenules' and the influence of fruit mesocarp of tangerine 'Clemenules' on oviposition of these species. The study was conducted under controlled conditions of temperature (25 ± 2 °C), relative humidity (70 ± 10% RH) and photophase (12 h). A. fraterculus and C. capitata laid their eggs in the flavedo region of orange 'Navelina' and between the albedo and flavedo of tangerine 'Clemenules'. When fruits with mesocarp exposed were offered, there was no oviposition by both fruit fly species. The results show that epicarp thickness of citrus fruits did not influence oviposition of A. fraterculus and C. capitata as oviposition did not occur only in the presence of the mesocarp, suggesting that other factors are involved in oviposition of these species.Keywords: Anastrepha fraterculus, Ceratitis capitata, citrus peel structure, epicarp, mesocarp.Oviposição de moscas-das-frutas (Diptera: Tephritidae) e sua relação com o pericarpo de frutos cítricos ResumoAs moscas-das-frutas (Diptera: Tephritidae) representam um risco à fruticultura mundial, especialmente na cultura dos citros, entretanto estudos biológicos demonstram que as moscas-das-frutas não estão perfeitamente adaptadas à estes hospedeiros. Este estudo investigou a oviposição de Anastrepha fraterculus (Wiedemann, 1830) e Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann, 1824) e sua relação com o pericarpo de frutos cítricos. Foi avaliada a relação entre a profundidade de oviposição de A. fraterculus e de C. capitata e a espessura do epicarpo dos frutos de laranjeira [Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck)] 'Navelina' e tangerineira [C. reticulata (L.)] 'Clemenules' e a influência do mesocarpo de frutos de tangerineira 'Clemenules' na oviposição destas espécies. O estudo foi conduzido em condições controladas de temperatura (25 ± 2 °C), umidade relativa (70 ± 10%) e fotofase (12 horas). A. fraterculus e C. capitata depositaram ovos no flavedo de frutos de laranjeira 'Navelina' e entre o flavedo e o albedo de frutos de tangerineira 'Clemenules'. Quando oferecido frutos com mesocarpo exposto, não houve oviposição por ambas as espécies de mosca. Os resultados demonstram que a espessura do epicarpo de frutos cítricos não influenciou a oviposição de A. fraterculus e de C. capitata, a qual não ocorreu na presença apenas do mesocarpo, sugerindo que outros fatores estão envolvidos na oviposição por estas espécies.Palavras-chave: Anastrepha fraterculus, Ceratitis capitata, estrutura da casca de citros, epicarpo, mesocarpo.

Effect of oviposition by Bactrocera dorsalis on the antioxidant activity of orange juice

“…Our study showed that the infestation of B. dorsalis also affects the content of Vc in the orange juice. These results suggests that the feeding holes formed by pests led to air circulation, which increased the oxygen content inside the fruit and accelerated the degradation of Vc (Green and Fry, 2005) or due to air present in the air chambers of eggs (Dias et al, 2018). This is in agreement with the results of Omoloye et al (2016), who found that C. capitata infestation on sweet orange led to decrease in vitamin C contents progressively as the severity of attack increased.…”

Physalis peruviana L. (Solanaceae) Is Not a Host of Ceratitis capitata (Diptera: Tephritidae): Evidence from Multi-Year Field and Laboratory Studies in Colombia

“…Given that the aculeus of C. capitata has a mean length of 1.33 ± 0.019 mm [37], even if a female was able to pierce the calyx, it would not be able to reach the fruit inside to lay an egg (mean distances from the fruit border to the bottom and middle parts of the calyx wall are 16.1 ± 0.5 SE and 9.4 ± 0.5 SE mm, respectively (Figure 1A). In cases where gravid females flew or walked through the calyx in fruit on which this structure was artificially damaged, so as to mimic the feeding activity of a moth larva in the field (Figure 1), or in fruit in which the calyx had been totally removed, we noticed that, upon landing, females were apparently repelled by volatiles emitted by the fruit or by fruit surface resins/waxes, supporting the behavioral non-preference concept.…”

Impact of gamma radiation dose on sterility and quality parameters of Anastrepha fraterculus (Diptera: Tephritidae)

“…Adults were kept in plastic cages (570 × 385 × 371mm) (l by w by h) and provided with a solid diet based on sugar (União®, São Paulo, SP, Brazil), wheat germ (Walmon®, São Paulo, SP, Brazil) and brewer's yeast (Bionis® YE MF and NS; Biorigin, Lençóis Paulistas, SP, Brazil) (3:1:1) (Nunes et al 2013) and a water soaked cotton clump in a Petri dish (55mm) served as water source. Mangoes (Mangifera indica L.) fruits were exposed to the flies and served as oviposition substrate and for larval development, as described by Dias et al (2017). Pupae used in the experiments were from the 4 th to 7 th generation of the laboratory rearing.…”