Biological control of Anastrepha spp. (Diptera: Tephritidae) in mango orchards through augmentative releases of Diachasmimorpha longicaudata (Ashmead) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae).
Montoya P., Liedo P., Benrey B., Cancino J., Barrera J. F., Sivinski J., Aluja M.
Author Affiliation: Programa Moscamed DGSV-SAGAR, Apartado Postal 368, 30700 Tapachula, Chiapas, Mexico.
Biological Control 18 : 216-224
Abstract : D. longicaudata [Biosteres longicaudatus] were released by helicopter in 2 areas (7 km apart) in Chiapas, Mexico, in 2 consecutive years (1996 and 1997) at a density of ca. 940 parasitoids/ha on a weekly basis, beginning at mango flower onset (November) until the end of the production cycle (July). In the first year, one area was used as a control and parasitoids were released in the other area. The treatments were reversed in the second year. The 4 × 4 km plots contained commercial mango (cv. Ataulfo) orchards, backyard orchards and patches of native vegetation. The differences between percentage parasitism of Anastrepha spp. in backyard orchards of control and treated plots were highly significant. Parasitoid releases significantly suppressed Anastrepha spp. populations in backyard orchards (by approximately 70%). Suppression was greater in A. obliqua than in A. ludens populations. Of the fruit species and cultivars sampled, the percentage parasitism of Anastrepha spp. was greatest in Spondias mombin (63.8%) and Creole mango (42.4%), compared to 33.0% in Ataulfo mango.