Biological control of Anastrepha Schiner (Dptera: Tephritidae) through augmentative releases of Diachasmimorpha longicaudata Ashmead (Hymenoptera; Braconidae) in fruit-producing marginal areas of Northern Nayarit, Mxico

Abstract

In Mexico, fruit flies (Anastrepha Schiner) are one of the main pests that affect production and limit the commercialization of fresh fruits. In regions producing municipalities such as Ruiz (Nayarit), the insect is actively multiplying in marginal areas, in fruits such as Mangifera indica L. (mango), Psidium guajava L. (guava), Spondias sp. (jobo) and Psidium sartorianum (Berg), from where they move to commercial orchards. An alternative solution is the use of biological control agents, which is why, in 2012, the population fluctuation of Anastrepha species and the effectiveness of augmentative releases of the parasite, Diachasmimorpha longicaudata Ashmead (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) on the pest were determined. Of 2,853 fruits and 1,690 larvae, 740 adults of Anastrepha emerged (395 females, 345 males: sexual ratio of 1: 0.87): Anastrepha obliqua (422), Anastrepha striata (208) and Anastrepha ludens (110), with 545 parasitoids recovered (265 females, 280 males: sexual ratio 1: 1.06), and annual mean parasitism of 42.41%, where the highest value corresponded to December (69.57%) and the greatest impacts of parasitism was on P. sartorianum (62.50%).