Effects of fruit fly host, fruit species, and host egg to female parasitoid ratio on the laboratory rearing of Biosteres arisanus.
Harris E. J., Bautista R. C.
Author Affiliation: United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, P.O. Box 2280, Honolulu, HI 96804, USA.
Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata 79 : 187-194
Abstract : The host suitability of Bactrocera dorsalis for development of Biosteres arisanus, a braconid parasitoid, was compared with that of 3 other fruit fly species, Ceratitis capitata, Bactrocera cucurbitae and B. latifrons. In addition, effects of 5 different fruit species (Carica papaya [pawpaw], Musa sapientum [M. paradisiaca] (apple banana), Mangifera indica (Haden mango), Terminalia catappa (false kamani), and Citrus aurantiifolia (common lime)), on the parasitization rate of B. dorsalis and sex ratio of parasitoid progenies were evaluated. Effects of host egg to female Biosteres arisanus ratios on parasitoid progeny yields were likewise determined. The host suitability of fruit flies for development of B. arisanus was ranked as: B. dorsalis > C. capitata = B. latifrons = B. cucurbitae. Based on percentage parasitism of B. dorsalis, preference of Biosteres arisanus females for host eggs varied with fruit species; however, preferential oviposition displayed by female parasitoids did not influence sex ratios of subsequent parasitoid progenies. Increases in host egg to female parasitoid ratios of 5:1, 10:1, 20:1, 25:1 and 30:1 corresponded with increases in parasitoid progeny yield, reaching a plateau at 20:1.