Cross mating studies among five fruit fly parasitoid populations: potential biological control implications for tephritid pests |
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Authors: | Maxwell K Billah Susan W Kimani-Njogu Robert A Wharton William A Overholt David D Wilson Millicent A Cobblah |
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Institution: | (1) Biosystematics Unit, International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE), Box 30772-00100 GPO, Nairobi, Kenya;(2) Department of Zoology, University of Ghana, Box LG. 67 Legon-Accra, Ghana;(3) Species 2000 Project, Centre for Plant Diversity and Systematics, University of Reading, Reading, RG6 6AS, UK;(4) Department of Entomology, Texas A&;M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA;(5) Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS), University of Florida, Ft. Pierce, FL 34945, USA |
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Abstract: | The reproductive compatibility between four different species/populations of the tephritid parasitoid Psyttalia (Walker) species from Kenya and individuals of the morphologically identical Psyttalia
concolor (Szépligeti) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) from a laboratory culture in Italy used in augmentative biological control of olive
fly, Bactrocera oleae (Gmelin) (Diptera: Tephritidae) was assessed through cross mating tests using single-pair and group mating methods. Reciprocal
crosses among the species resulted in the production of viable offsprings up to the second generation. In spite of the successful
production of viable offspring in the laboratory, Psyttalia species are known to have specific host fruit and/or host fly preferences and populations/species may be isolated in one
way or the other. However, it is not known whether these populations/species interbreed in the field. We discuss the ability
of these parasitoids to interbreed and the potential effects of that on their use as biological control agents, especially
in environments where other closely related species are present or in situations where multiple parasitoid introductions are
intended. |
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Keywords: | Reproductive compatibility Parasitoids Psyttalia concolor Augmentative Biological control Tephritids Cross mating Viable offspring |
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