Effect of hydrothermal treatment of mango fruits on larval mortality of Ceratitis capitata (Wied.) (Diptera: Tephritidae).
Mendonça M. da C., Nascimento A. S., Caldas R. C., Pereira Filho C. A.
Author Affiliation: Embrapa Mandioca e Fruticultura Tropical, Caixa postal 007, 4 4380-000, Cruz das Almas, BA, Brazil.
Anais da Sociedade Entomológica do Brasil 29 : 139-145
Abstract : Mango fruits of 'Keitt', 'Tommy Atkins' and 'Haden' cultivars, infected with larvae of the Mediterranean fly Ceratitis capitata (Wied.), were submitted to hydrothermal treatment at 46.1°C. The fruits were classified into two weight ranks, 450 g to 650 g and 651 g to 800 g, kept in the water for 75 and 90 minutes, respectively. The number of dead larvae was obtained from 75% of the infested fruits. The 25% remaining fruits were kept as a control. Larval mortality was observed to be 100% in the fruits infested with first and second-instar larvae. Four and three adults survived in the fruits which were infested with third-instar larvae, and weighed above 540 g and 730 g, in the immersion periods of 75 and 90 minutes, respectively.