A novel method for rearing wild tephritid fruit flies

Authors: Manoukis, Nicholas; GAYLE, STEPHANIE - University Of Hawaii; McKenney, Michael; Follett, Peter

Submitted to: Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/17/2013
Publication Date: 9/1/2013
Citation: Manoukis, N., Gayle, S., Mckenney, M.P., Follett, P.A. 2013. A novel method for rearing wild tephritid fruit flies. Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata. 148(3):297-301.

Interpretive Summary: This paper describes a new method for rearing fruit flies collected as larvae in fruit in the field. We compare the new method, which involves providing supplemental larval diet to the tephritids growing in the fruit, with a standard approach using a fruit holding tray but no additional diet. We find that the new method yield more, bigger and higher quality flies that the standard screen approach.

Technical Abstract: We introduce a novel method for rearing wild tephritid fruit flies from field-collected fruit. This new protocol uses larval diet to control moisture and provide additional nutrition to developing larvae. We conducted two experiments to compare the new method with a standard approach using a fruit-holding screen with wild collected Bactrocera cucurbitae (Coquillett) and lab-reared Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel). Mean pupal weight, yield, eclosion, and flightability were greater for insects produced under the new method compared with the standard approach. The diet-based method is superior to the standard fruit-holding screen because it produces more insects of more uniform quality and is more physically efficient. Our results are important for informing the selection of a rearing method for producing wild fruit flies for experiments and research.