Review of host use and host reproduction number for New World fruit flies (Diptera: Tephritidae) to optimise surveillance, management and trade

Authors: DOMINIAK, B - Nsw Department Of Primary Industries; Follett, Peter

Submitted to: International Journal of Tropical Insect Science
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/15/2023
Publication Date: 2/13/2024
Citation: Dominiak, B.C., Follett, P.A. 2024. Review of host use and host reproduction number for New World fruit flies (Diptera: Tephritidae) to optimise surveillance, management and trade. International Journal of Tropical Insect Science. 44:595-635. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42690-023-01153-w.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s42690-023-01153-w

Interpretive Summary: Tephritid fruit flies are major economic pests for fruit production and impede international trade. Different host fruits are known to vary in their suitability for fruit flies to complete their life cycle. We collected data from the literature covering 26 different New World fruit fly species in the genera Rhagoletis, Bactrocera, and Anastrepha, on >350 plant hosts. The reproductive potential of the fruit fly on the host, the so-called Host Reproductive Number (HRN), was reported for only 13% pest-host combinations. This host use information can be used to develop surveillance programs for invasive pests and to respond to pest outbreaks. More HRN information is needed for New World fruit flies to better assess risk and response to new pest invasions.

Technical Abstract: Hosts of tephritids are known to vary in their capacity to support the life cycle from egg lay to adult. The host reproduction number (HRN) is a measure of this capability and is defined as the number of adults that emerge from one kg of fruit. Here, we reviewed published literature covering 26 tephritids and found data on >350 hosts in the Americas. We provide the HRN where possible but only about 13% of tephritid-host data had HRN figures. More research is required to better understand the risks posed by New World tephritid-host relationships. For the tephritids of the world, there is a need to develop an appendix to ISPM 37 or new ISPM for each tephritid covering different hosts in different countries because one HRN does not fit all situations. A more country-based HRN will help to better inform and triage hosts for targeted surveillance programs, pest management and inform disinfestation activities associated with incursion response management. Therefore, a more HRN informed world will be better able to feed a growing world population using optimised risk management and trade.