Chilled packing systems for fruit flies (Diptera: Tephritidae) in the sterile insect technique

Abstract

-We evaluated three packing systems (PARC boxes, "GT" screen towers and "MX" screen towers) for the emergence and sexual maturation of sterile fruit fl ies, at three adult fl y densities (1, 1.2 and 1.3 fl y/cm 2 ) and three food types. At the lowest density, results showed no signifi cant differences in the longevity and fl ight ability of adult Anastrepha ludens (Loew) and Anastrepha obliqua Macquart among the three packing systems. Higher densities resulted in a decrease in these parameters. In the evaluation of the three food types, no signifi cant differences were found either on longevity or fl ight ability of A. ludens. However, the greatest longevity for both sexes A. obliqua was obtained with commercial powdered Mb ® and the mix of sugar, protein and corn starch on paper (SPCP) food types. The highest value for fl ight ability in A. obliqua males was obtained with powdered Mb ® and SPCP food types, and for females with Mb ® powdered food. Our data indicated that GT and MX screen tower packing systems are an alternative to the PARC boxes, since they were suitable for adult fl y sexual maturation without any harm to their longevity or fl ight ability. The tested foods were equivalent in both fruit fl y species, with the exception of the agar type for A. obliqua, which yielded the lowest biological parameters evaluated. Our results contribute to the application of new methods for the packing and release of sterile fl ies in large-scale programs.

Optimised conditions for handling and transport of male Anopheles arabiensis: effects of low temperature, compaction, and ventilation on male quality

“…This results in flies being released in clumps, which reduces quality (Tween & Rend on, 2007). Similarly, Hernandez et al (2010) reported that a lower density of Anastrepha ludens (Loew) and Anastrepha obliqua (Macquart) flies in the release boxes corresponded to an increase in longevity and flight ability post-release. Furthermore, a higher density of immobilised fruit flies has been shown to reduce mating competitiveness of the male flies after release (Liedo et al, 2007;Aluja et al, 2009).…”

Sterile males ofCeratitis capitata(Diptera: Tephritidae) as disseminators ofBeauveria bassianaconidia for IPM strategies

“…The irradiated pupae were transported by ground (24 km) to the sterile (Dowell, Worley, & Gomes, 2005, FAO-IAEA, 2007. Sterile males were fed with a commercial food (Mubarqui † ) formulated with amaranth, peanut flours and sugar with 10.19% raw protein (Hernández, Escobar, Bravo, & Montoya, 2010), which was placed vertically in four 24)46 cm strips between the paper bags according to standard protocols (Programa Regional Moscamed Guatemala-México-Estados Unidos, 2009). PARC boxes were kept in an emergence room at 248C.…”

Roving and stationary release of adult sterile Queensland fruit fly, Bactrocera tryoni (Froggatt) (Diptera; Tephritidae)

“…Eclosion towers (Dowell et al, 2005) could be a viable option for B. tryoni. They are used in several fruit fly programs and for several species worldwide (Hern andez et al, 2010;Salvato et al, 2004) and are both space and labour efficient compared with PARC systems (Shelly et al, 2006). Separation of adult flies from pupal debris is pertinent in fruit fly free areas, where pupal debris must be discarded appropriately after adult release to exclude the chance of poorly dyed or undyed adults eclosing.…”

“…However, in a more recently colonised strain of females, chilled males attracted the most females (Mangan, 1996). Hern andez et al (2010) showed that of three adult fly densities (1, 1.2 and 1.3 fly/cm 2 ), there were no differences at the lowest density, in the longevity and flight performance of adult A. ludens and the West Indian fruit fly, Anastrepha obliqua (Macquart) using three different chilled adult emergence and release systems. However, at the higher densities tested, a decrease in these variables was observed.…”

“…Chilled adult release involves the rapid chilling of sterile flies usually at 3e5 C for less than 1 h (Enkerlin, 2007;Hern andez et al, 2010;Reynolds and Orchard, 2010), but they may be held for another approximately 2 h at this temperature before release (Shelly et al, 2013). This enables the immobilisation and transportation of greater numbers of flies using more compact packaging, permitting reductions in the space required for transportation (Mangan, 1996).…”