Author
 |
Yokoyama, Victoria |
|
Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only Publication Acceptance Date: 10/15/2008 Publication Date: 11/2/2008 Citation: Yokoyama, V.Y. 2008. Biological Control of Olive Fruit Fly in California with a Parasitoid Imported from Guatemala. Meeting of the Working Group on Fruit Flies of the Western Hemisphere, November 2-7, 2008, Mazatlan, Sinaloa, Mexico. No. S9b Interpretive Summary: Technical Abstract: The parasitoid, Psyttalia cf. concolor (Szépligeti), was imported into California from the USDA-APHIS-PPQ, Moscamed, San Miguel Petapa, Guatemala for biological control of olive fruit fly, Bactrocera oleae (Gmelin), in olives, Olea europaea L. The parasitoid did not develop in the seedhead fly, Chaetorellia succinea (Costa), used for biological control of yellow star thistle, but developed in walnut husk fly, Rhagoletis completa Cresson, a pest of walnuts. Parasitoid longevity was prolonged by cool and humid conditions and the presence of food and water versus hot and dry conditions and the absence of food and water. Scale honeydew was found to serve as a food for adults in the field. Recent free releases of the parasitoid in different regions of California has resulted in rates of parasitism from 0-100%, and was dependent on levels of olive fruit fly larval infestations and evaluations made from small post-release fruit samples. Research currently emphasizes establishment of the parasitoid in olive orchards that serve as reservoirs of the pest, and the potential of other parasitoids imported from Guatemala for biological control of olive fruit fly. |
