Post-Embryonic Development inZaprionus indianus(Diptera: Drosophilidae)

Abstract

The objectives of this study were to determine the number of instars of Zaprionus indianus Gupta, 1970, a fly that is considered a pest on fig plantations; analyze the pupation process; and characterize the morphology of the immature stages. This information would fill a gap in the knowledge regarding Z. indianus development. The post-embryonic development of this species was studied by using Dyar's rule to characterize the immature stages of the fly. In addition, the morphological structures were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy. Following Dyar's rule, Z. indianus exhibited three larval instars. Pupae were formed in higher numbers during the morning, and 5 d was the average time until adult emergence. The male:female sex ratio in this population was 1:1, with a higher emergence of females during the first 72 h. During the morphological analysis, the following structures were observed: (egg) chorionic cells, respiratory filaments, and micropyle; (larvae) body segments, intersegmental spines, antennae, the maxillary palp complex, sensilla, tubercles, and anterior and posterior spiracles; and (pupae) filaments that originated in the anterior spiracles and the presence of spines along these filaments. Some of these characteristics were slightly different from those observed in other drosophilids, which provides a taxonomic quality to these characteristics. In addition, these results may facilitate future studies on the biology, ecology, and control of this species.

Biological Studies on the African Fig Fly, Zaprionus Indianus Gupta (Diptera: Drosophilidae)

“…These results show higher values of larval duration and lower values of pupal duration in comparison with values obtained in our study. The differences in larval duration can be attributed to the composition of the diet provided to the larva which was Formula 4-24 instant Drosophila medium in study performed by Amoudi et al (1991), Vilela's diet in Brazilian study performed by Nava et al (2007) and artificial diet based on banana in another Brazilian study conducted by Matavelli et al (2013), while mashed banana fruits with dry and active yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae for larval development in our study.…”

“…In Brazil, Nava et al (2007) reported a larval duration of 8.2-11.3 day and a pupal 3.4-5.5 day at 25˚C. Matavelli et al (2013) reported a pupal duration of 4-6 days. These results show higher values of larval duration and lower values of pupal duration in comparison with values obtained in our study.…”

Mating dynamics of a sperm-limited drosophilid, Zaprionus indianus

“…Both males and females have the longitudinal zebra-like stripes that characterize the genus [ 13 , 14 ]. Overall populations have an even sex ratio though females develop faster than males so that the first 72 hours of progeny eclosion is female biased [ 15 ].…”