Tephritid Fruit Fly Semiochemicals: Current Knowledge and Future Perspectives

Abstract

The Dipteran family Tephritidae (true fruit flies) comprises more than 5000 species classified in 500 genera distributed worldwide. Tephritidae include devastating agricultural pests and highly invasive species whose spread is currently facilitated by globalization, international trade and human mobility. The ability to identify and exploit a wide range of host plants for oviposition, as well as effective and diversified reproductive strategies, are among the key features supporting tephritid biological success. Intraspecific communication involves the exchange of a complex set of sensory cues that are species- and sex-specific. Chemical signals, which are standing out in tephritid communication, comprise long-distance pheromones emitted by one or both sexes, cuticular hydrocarbons with limited volatility deposited on the surrounding substrate or on the insect body regulating medium- to short-distance communication, and host-marking compounds deposited on the fruit after oviposition. In this review, the current knowledge on tephritid chemical communication was analysed with a special emphasis on fruit fly pest species belonging to the Anastrepha, Bactrocera, Ceratitis, and Rhagoletis genera. The multidisciplinary approaches adopted for characterising tephritid semiochemicals, and the real-world applications and challenges for Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and biological control strategies are critically discussed. Future perspectives for targeted research on fruit fly chemical communication are highlighted.

Bioactivity of Carlina acaulis Essential Oil and Its Main Component towards the Olive Fruit Fly, Bactrocera oleae: Ingestion Toxicity, Electrophysiological and Behavioral Insights

“…Assessing the efficacy of eco-friendly molecules in lure-and-kill programs for establishing effective control strategies against tephritids represents an important challenge [33]. In this framework, the insecticidal efficacy of different EOs incorporated in protein baits against B. oleae was highlighted by Canale et al [22], focusing on the toxicity of Hyptis suaveolens (L.) Poiteau, Rosmarinus officinalis L. and Lavandula angustifolia Miller EOs, as well as by Rizzo et al [20] for Pimpinella anisum L., Ocimum gratissimum L., Thymbra spicata L. and Trachyspermum ammi (L.) Sprague EOs.…”

Distribution, development biology and behavior of <em>Dacus persicus</em> associated with <em>Calotropis gigantea</em> in Sri Lanka

“…In addition, studies of Tephritid fruit flies reveal that they mark the oviposited fruit using host marking pheromones. It signals the other female fruitflies that the fruit is already used for an oviposition (Scolari et al, 2021). It may a possible reason of having only one cluster of eggs per Calotropis fruit.…”

From Insect Pheromones to Mating Disruption: Theory and Practice

“…The first summarizes current knowledge on insect sex pheromone research and its application in Integrated Pest Management [14]. The second review offers an updated analysis of what we really know on tephritid fruit fly semiochemicals, their real-world applications and the related research challenges [15].…”