Patterns of heterospecific matings are important to understand in order to learn about speciation. I proposed a classical signal detection model as a representation of heterospecific mating patterns in both sexes. From the model I proposed that males would be able to achieve successive heterospecific mating success, as those males were more similar to conspecifics. I also proposed that restrictive females that rejected heterospecific matings would also be more likely to reject conspecific matings. I used the sibling species Drosophila pseudoobscura and D. persimilis to examine heterospecific mating patterns in males and females. I found that males previously accepted as heterospecific mates were more likely to achieve heterospecific matings than males that had previously been rejected as heterospecific mates. This was most likely due to decreased courtship by rejected males. Males rejected heterospecifically but mated conspecifically also were less likely to achieve heterospecific matings than males that had initially been accepted as heterospecific mates. This indicated that the same males were able to achieve successive heterospecific matings, despite rejected males also having had initial mating success. This was again likely influenced by decreased courtship in rejected males. Furthermore, I found that females that rejected heterospecific males were also more likely to reject conspecific males than naive females. There was also a non-significant trend of females that previously accepted heterospecific males were more likely to again accept heterospecific males than females that had previously rejected heterospecific males. / Thesis / Master of Science (MSc)

The mango tree is one the important sources of income in the rural economy of Senegal. However, mango producers in Ziguinchor are facing fruit fly infestations leading to important losses in income. The aim of this study is to measure the impact of the losses encountered by mango farmers in Ziguinchor over three years 2012, 2013, and 2014 and conduct an econometric study to examine household characteristics associated with high level of losses. At the household level, the total yearly losses on average from fruit fly infestations represent 17.09 % of the average total household income in Ziguinchor (Casamance). The losses associated with variability of production are much smaller than losses from decreases of average yield. Furthermore, the results show that the number of hectares, level production, and use of Keitt varieties are three factors statistically significant, with a significant positive influence on losses from infestation. The use of fruit fly control technologies does not appear to significantly reduce losses. / Master of Science / Mango production is an important activity in Senegal such as in the south part of the country, in Ziguinchor (Casamance). And this activity hurled Senegal to the second largest exporter among West African countries in European market place. However, mango production is threatening by fruit fly pests and are responsible for a considerable loss in production. The aim of this paper is to evaluate the losses faced by mango producers in the south of Senegal by calculating the average losses and losses from a variation of the mango production for three years. Furthermore, characterize the different variable that are principally responsible for producer losses. A survey has been run in Ziguinchor. The results that farmer losses can reach up to 17.09% of annual total income per year. The different variables that impact the most losses are the number of plants, the production and the Keitt variety mango. Keywords: Mango production, Fruit fly infestation, Mean yield decrease loss, Producer risk loss

Thesis (DScAgric)--Stellenbosch University, 1956. / Some digitised pages may appear illegible due to the condition of the original hard copy. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: no abstract available / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: geen opsomming

A alta diversidade observada em Anastrepha fraterculus em toda sua área de distribuição caracteriza a existência do complexo fraterculus. A correta identificação de espécies de Anastrepha aparentadas atualmente exige a utilização de uma série de técnicas. Assim, o presente trabalho propõe verificar quão semelhantes os morfotipos de duas populações do complexo A. fraterculus são, usando dados morfológicos (morfometria tradicional e geométrica) e moleculares (marcadores nucleares e mitocondriais). As amostras de dois municípios do Paraguai (Concepción e Santa Rosa) foram analisadas e seis morfotipos (chamados de M1 a M6) foram reconhecidos (M1-M5 em Concepción; M1-M4 e M6 em Santa Rosa), com base nas variações do ápice do acúleo, e um morfotipo com o acúleo típico do complexo fraterculus. A análise multivariada das oito medidas tomadas a partir do acúleo indicaram diferenças entre todos os morfotipos. A análise morfométrica baseada na morfometria convencional também revelou a existência de variabilidade entre os morfotipos estudados, mas alguns espécimes do morfotipo M4 foram similares aos espécimes de morfotipos M5 e M3, em Concepción. As asas também foram submetidas à morfometria geométrica usando 20 marcos, que indicou a existência de variabilidade entre e dentro dos morfotipos. Morfotipos da população de Concepción tendem a formar grupos distintos. No entanto, além das variações morfológicas de morfotipos de ambas as populações analisadas, sequências parciais da citocromo oxidase I gene (Cox1) e região do espaçador interno transcrito 1 (ITS1) foram muito semelhantes entre si. Portanto, esses marcadores moleculares não diferenciaram os morfotipos estudados, os quais foram muito similares aos espécimes com o acúleo típico do complexo fraterculus. / The high diversity observed in Anastrepha fraterculus throughout its distribution range characterizes the existence of the fraterculus complex. The correct identification of closely related species of Anastrepha currently requires the use of a number of techniques. Thus, the present work is proposed to verify how similar morphotypes of two populations of the A. fraterculus complex are, by using morphological (conventional and geometric morphometry) and molecular (nuclear and mitochondrial markers) data. Specimens from two municipalities of Paraguay (Concepción and Santa Rosa) were analyzed and six morphotypes (named from M1 to M6) were recognized (M1-M5 in Concepción; M1-M4 and M6 in Santa Rosa) based on variations in the apex of the aculeus, and a morphotype with the typical aculeus of the fraterculus complex. Multivariate analysis of eight measurements taken from the aculeus indicated differences among all morphotypes. Morphometric analysis based on conventional morphometry also revealed the existence of variability among the morphotypes studied, but some specimens from morphotype M4 were similar to specimens from morphotypes M5 and M3 in Concepción. Wings were also subjected to geometric morphometry by using 20 landmarks, which indicated the existence of variability between and within morphotypes. Morphotypes from the population of Concepcion tended to form separate groups. However, besides the morphological variations observed for morphotypes from both populations analyzed, partial sequences of the citochrome oxidase I (Cox1) gene and the internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1) region were highly similar among them. Therefore, these molecular markers did not differentiate the morphotypes studied and were highly similar to specimens with the aculeus shape typical of the fraterculus complex.

Avaliou-se a bioatividade de derivados do nim (Azadirachta indica A. Juss.) como componente de isca para adultos e como regulador de crescimento de Ceratitis capitata (Wied.) e Anastrepha fraterculus (Wied.), determinando-se, ainda, o efeito de concentrações subletais de extratos de nim e o efeito deterrente de oviposição do extrato metanólico de folhas sobre C. capitata. Utilizando o extrato aquoso de amêndoas de nim, estimou-se a CL50 para adultos e imaturos, cujos valores foram 7.522 e 1.368 ppm para os adultos e 13.028 e 9.390 ppm para os imaturos de A. fraterculus e C. capitata, respectivamente. Subsequentemente, o óleo de amêndoas, os extratos de folhas, de ramos e de amêndoas de nim em diferentes solventes (água, metanol, diclorometano e hexano) foram comparados com base nas CL50 obtidas para adultos e para imaturos. Posteriormente, foram estimadas concentrações subletais (CL15 = 39 ppm, CL30 = 225 ppm e CL45 = 888 ppm) do extrato aquoso de amêndoas para adultos de C. capitata e avaliouse nessas concentrações o efeito do extrato aquoso de amêndoas, de folhas em metanol e de ramos em diclorometano sobre a reprodução e a longevidade dessa espécie. A deterrência de oviposição do extrato metanólico de folhas de nim em diferentes concentrações (10.000, 18.000, 32.000 e 56.000 ppm) para C. capitata foi avaliada tratando bagas de uva, que foram expostas às fêmeas com chance e sem chance de escolha. Verificou-se que os derivados do nim na concentração de até 7.522 e 1.368 ppm não afetaram os adultos de A. fraterculus e C. capitata, respectivamente. Já para a fase imatura, os extratos de amêndoas e de ramos em diclorometano na concentração de 13.028 ppm causaram mortalidade de A. fraterculus e na concentração de 9.390 ppm o extrato de amêndoas em metanol e em diclorometano causaram mortalidade de C. capitata. Houve redução da fecundidade total e da fertilidade no 8º dia quando os insetos foram alimentados com extrato de ramos em diclorometano a 888 ppm. A longevidade de machos e fêmeas e o período de pré-oviposição não foram afetados pelos tratamentos. O extrato de folhas em metanol provocou deterrência de oviposição para C. capitata em situação de chance de escolha, porém, em confinamento, o referido extrato não afetou o comportamento dessa espécie. A experiência recente de C. capitata não alterou a sua resposta em relação a bagas de uva tratadas. A atividade biológica dos derivados do nim em relação às moscas-das-frutas é discutida. / The bioactivity of neem (Azadirachta indica A. Juss.) as adult bait and as larval growth regulator for Ceratitis capitata (Wied.) and Anastrepha fraterculus (Wied.) was evaluated. Besides, the effect of sublethal concentrations of neem extracts and the oviposition deterrency of the methanolic extract from leaves on C. capitata was evaluated. The estimated LC50 of aqueous extract from seed kernels were 7,522 and 1,368 ppm for adults and 13,028 and 9,390 ppm for immatures of A. fraterculus and C. capitata, respectively. In addition, the oil from seed kernels and the extracts from leaves, branches and seed kernels in different solvents (water, methanol, dichloromethane and hexane) were compared based on the LC50 obtained for adults and immatures. After that, sublethal concentrations from aqueous extract from neem seed kernels for C. capitata adults were estimated (LC15 = 39 ppm, LC30 = 225 ppm and LC45 = 888 ppm) and the effects of such concentrations on the reproduction and logenvity of this species were also accessed. Oviposition deterrency of C. capitata to grapes treated with leaf methanolic extract at different concentrations (10,000; 18,000; 32,000 and 56,000 ppm) was evaluated in free-choice or no-choice test. It was verified that the neem extracts on the concentrations up to 7,522 and to 1,368 ppm did not affect the adults of A. fraterculus and C. capitata, respectively. On the other hand, the extract from seed kernels and branches in dichloromethane at 13,028 ppm provoked mortality in A. fraterculus larvae and the seed kernel extract in methanol and dichloromethane at 9,390 ppm provoked high mortality in C. capitata larvae. The total fecundity was reduced significantly and the fertility decreased on the 8th day when the insects were fed on branch extract in dichloromethane at 888 ppm. The longevity of males and females and the pre-oviposition period were not affected by treatments. The leaf extract in methanol provoked oviposition deterrency for C. capitata in free-choice test, but did not affect its behavior in no-choice test. The C. capitatas early experience did not affect its answer to the grapes treated in free-choice and no-choice situations. The biological activity of the neem extracts to fruit flies is discussed.

The Queensland fruit fly, Bactrocera tryoni (Froggatt) (Diptera: Tephritidae), a major pest of horticulture in eastern Australia, is a relatively poor coloniser of new habitat. This thesis examines behavioural properties that might limit the ability of B. tryoni to establish new populations. As the potential for B. tryoni to establish an outbreak population may be most directly limited by mechanisms associated with dispersal and mating behaviour, these two factors were the focus of this research project. The relevance of dispersal and mating behaviour for control of outbreak populations was assessed. Dispersal (i) Dispersal patterns of males and females are not different. Dispersal of post-teneral male B. tryoni from a point within an orchard near Richmond, New South Wales, was monitored following temporally replicated releases. Application of sterile insect technique (SIT) requires knowledge of dispersal from a release point so that effective release rates can be determined. In addition, dispersal following introduction to new habitat can lead to low or negative population growth and an Allee effect. In Spring and Autumn, 2001 � 2003, three different strains of B. tryoni were released: (1) wild flies reared from infested fruit collected in the Sydney Basin; (2) a laboratory-reared strain with a colour mutation (white marks); and (3) sterile flies obtained by gamma-irradiation of a mass-reared strain. Dispersal was monitored using a grid of traps baited with the male attractant, cuelure. During the majority of releases, flies were massmarked using a self-marking technique and fluorescent pigment powder to enable identification of recaptured flies. A preliminary study found that fluorescent pigment marks had no effect on adult survival and marks did not fade significantly in the laboratory over a period of five weeks after eclosion. As cuelure repels inseminated sexually mature female B. tryoni, unbaited, coloured flat sticky traps, and black and yellow sticky sphere traps baited with a food lure (protein autolysate solution) were used to supplement traps baited with cuelure. The effectiveness of these two sticky trap types was assessed, and recaptures used to compare patterns of dispersal from a release point by male and female B. tryoni. Fluorescent yellow (chartreuse), green, and clear unbaited flat sticky traps were relatively ineffective for monitoring dispersal of sterile male and female B. tryoni, recapturing only 0.1% of released sterile flies. Monitoring dispersal with sticky ball traps baited with protein autolysate solution was more successful, with yellow spheres and black spheres recapturing 1.7% and 1.5%, respectively. Trap colour had no effect on recaptures on flat sticky traps or sticky spheres. Equal recapture rates on yellow and black sticky sphere traps suggests that the odour of yeast autolysate solution was more important than colour for attraction of post-teneral flies to traps. Using the results of recaptures on odoriferous black and yellow sticky sphere traps within one week of release, regression equations of male and female recaptures per trap were found to be similar (Figure 4-3). This is the first study to clearly indicate that post-teneral dispersal patterns of male and female B. tryoni released from a point do not differ, enabling the use of existing models to predict density of both sexes of B. tryoni following post-teneral dispersal. (ii) Males disperse further in Spring than in Autumn, but this is not temperature-related. Analysis of replicated recaptures in traps baited with cuelure revealed that dispersal of male B. tryoni in an orchard near Richmond, New South Wales, was higher in Spring than in Autumn (Figure 5-6). As the maximum daily temperature was significantly higher in Spring than in Autumn this result was unexpected, since earlier studies have found that B. tryoni disperse at the onset of cool weather in search of sheltered over-wintering sites. Dispersal of post-teneral B. tryoni may have been affected by habitat suitability; it was found that seasonal trends in dispersal could have been influenced by local habitat variables. Low mean dispersal distances in Autumn may be explained by the presence of fruiting hosts in the orchard, or the availability of resources required by over-wintering flies. There was no significant correlation between temperature and mean dispersal distance, suggesting that higher rates of dispersal cannot be explained by temperature-related increases in activity. Recapture rate per trap was significantly negatively correlated with increasing daily maximum and average temperature. This may have consequences for detection of B. tryoni outbreaks in quarantine areas due to reduced cuelure trap efficiency. (iii) Maturity and source variation affect dispersal and response to cuelure. This research indicated that most male and female B. tryoni do not disperse far from a release point, suggesting that an invading propagule would not spread far in the first generation. However, there is considerable variation in flight capability among individuals. Comparison of wild, laboratory-reared white marks, and gamma-irradiated sterile male B. tryoni indicated that mean dispersal distance and redistribution patterns were not significantly affected by fly origin. Despite no difference in dispersal distance from the release point, recaptures of wild and sterile males per Lynfield trap baited with cuelure were highest within one week after release, whereas recaptures of white marks males per trap increased in the second week. This result may offer evidence to support the hypothesis that sterile male B. tryoni respond to cuelure at an earlier age. Rearing conditions used to produce large quantities of males for sterilisation by gamma-irradiation may select for earlier sexual maturity. Mating Behaviour (i) Density and sex ratio do not affect mating, except at low densities. Demographic stochasticity in the form of sex ratio fluctuations at low population density can lead to an observed Allee effect. The effect of local group density and sex ratio on mating behaviour and male mating success of a laboratory-adapted strain of B. tryoni was examined in laboratory cages. In the laboratory-adapted strain of B. tryoni used in this study, a group of one female and one male was sufficient for a good chance of mating success. The proportion of females mated and male mating success was not significantly affected by density or sex ratio, although variability in male mating success was higher at low density. This could indicate that mating success of B. tryoni can be reduced when local group density is low owing to decreased frequency in encounters between males and females. (ii) Mass-reared males exhibit aberrant mating behaviour, but this does not reduce mating success. Strong artificial selection in mass-rearing facilities may lead to decreased competitiveness of sterile males released in SIT programs as a result of alteration or loss of ecological and behavioural traits required in the field. The effects of domestication and irradiation on the mating behaviour of males of B. tryoni were investigated by caging wild, mass-reared and sterile (mass-reared and gammairradiated) males with wild females. Mating behaviour of mass-reared males was different from that of wild males, but behaviour of wild and sterile males was similar. Mass-reared males were found to engage in mounting of other males much more frequently than wild and sterile males, and began calling significantly earlier before darkness. Male calling did not appear to be associated with female choice of mating partners, although this does not exclude the possibility that calling is a cue used by females to discriminate between mating partners. Conditions used to domesticate and rear large quantities of B. tryoni for SIT may select for an alternative male mating strategy, with mass-reared males calling earlier and exercising less discrimination between potential mating partners. Despite differences in behaviour of wild, mass-reared and sterile males, frequency of successful copulations and mating success were similar. (iii) Pheromone-calling by males was increased in larger aggregations but this did not result in significantly more female visits. Finally, large laboratory cages with artificial leks were used to investigate the importance in B. tryoni of male group size for female visitation at lek sites and initiation of male pheromone-calling. Calling propensity of male B. tryoni was increased by the presence of conspecific males. Females visited the largest lek more frequently than single males, but there was no correlation between lek size and female visitation. Female B. tryoni had a limited capacity to perceive a difference between the number of calling males; female visitation at leks was only weakly associated with male calling, suggesting that lek size and the number of pheromone-calling males may not be the only factor important in locating mates in B. tryoni. The weak, but positive correlation between male calling and female visitation may indicate that passive attraction maintains lek-mating in B. tryoni. Further studies are essential on mating behaviour of B. tryoni, including identification of male mating aggregations in the field, measurement of habitat variables associated with male aggregations, the influence of density on wild B. tryoni mating success, and the role of pheromone-calling, in order to optimise use of SIT for control of this pest.

Soy contains many bioactive molecules known to elicit anti-cancer effects. One such peptide, Lunasin, has been shown to selectively act on newly transformed cells while having no cytotoxic effect on non-tumorigenic or established cancer cell lines. In this study we attempt to understand the developmental effects of Lunasin overexpression in vivo and create reagents that will help us understand Lunasin’s anti tumorigenic effects in an intact organism. cDNA encoding lunasin and EGFP-lunasin were cloned into pUAST and microinjected into Drosophila embryos. Tissue-specific overexpression of EGFP-Lun in the resulting transgenic lines was accomplished by crossing transgenics to various GAL4 driver lines. Progeny were assessed for phenotypic alterations and no phenotypic abnormalities were observed in tissues expressing EGFP-Lunasin, supporting current studies that show Lunasin does not affect normal cells. Previous studies have localized Lunasin to the nuclear compartment. To test if this was the case for EGFP-Lun, subcellular localization of EGFP-Lun was determined via fluorescence microscopy. Salivary glands from EGFP-Lun expressing individuals were dissected, fixed, and mounted in Vectashield® with the nuclear stain, DAPI. Our results demonstrate that EGFP-Lun, like native Lunasin, is localized to the nucleus. Eight transgenic lines were mapped to specific chromosomes and EGFP-Lun transgenic line GEJ1-L2 was balanced in preparation for use in tumor suppression studies. In summary, we have created and characterized transgenic flies capable of overexpressing Lunasin under the control of the GAL4/UAS system. Localization of EGFP-Lunasin to the nucleus and data on the phenotypic consequence of its overexpression in flies is presented. Finally, reagents created as part of this thesis will aid experiments aimed at understanding the effects of Lunasin on benign and invasive tumors.

The Queensland fruit fly, Bactrocera tryoni (Froggatt) (Diptera: Tephritidae), a major pest of horticulture in eastern Australia, is a relatively poor coloniser of new habitat. This thesis examines behavioural properties that might limit the ability of B. tryoni to establish new populations. As the potential for B. tryoni to establish an outbreak population may be most directly limited by mechanisms associated with dispersal and mating behaviour, these two factors were the focus of this research project. The relevance of dispersal and mating behaviour for control of outbreak populations was assessed. Dispersal (i) Dispersal patterns of males and females are not different. Dispersal of post-teneral male B. tryoni from a point within an orchard near Richmond, New South Wales, was monitored following temporally replicated releases. Application of sterile insect technique (SIT) requires knowledge of dispersal from a release point so that effective release rates can be determined. In addition, dispersal following introduction to new habitat can lead to low or negative population growth and an Allee effect. In Spring and Autumn, 2001 � 2003, three different strains of B. tryoni were released: (1) wild flies reared from infested fruit collected in the Sydney Basin; (2) a laboratory-reared strain with a colour mutation (white marks); and (3) sterile flies obtained by gamma-irradiation of a mass-reared strain. Dispersal was monitored using a grid of traps baited with the male attractant, cuelure. During the majority of releases, flies were massmarked using a self-marking technique and fluorescent pigment powder to enable identification of recaptured flies. A preliminary study found that fluorescent pigment marks had no effect on adult survival and marks did not fade significantly in the laboratory over a period of five weeks after eclosion. As cuelure repels inseminated sexually mature female B. tryoni, unbaited, coloured flat sticky traps, and black and yellow sticky sphere traps baited with a food lure (protein autolysate solution) were used to supplement traps baited with cuelure. The effectiveness of these two sticky trap types was assessed, and recaptures used to compare patterns of dispersal from a release point by male and female B. tryoni. Fluorescent yellow (chartreuse), green, and clear unbaited flat sticky traps were relatively ineffective for monitoring dispersal of sterile male and female B. tryoni, recapturing only 0.1% of released sterile flies. Monitoring dispersal with sticky ball traps baited with protein autolysate solution was more successful, with yellow spheres and black spheres recapturing 1.7% and 1.5%, respectively. Trap colour had no effect on recaptures on flat sticky traps or sticky spheres. Equal recapture rates on yellow and black sticky sphere traps suggests that the odour of yeast autolysate solution was more important than colour for attraction of post-teneral flies to traps. Using the results of recaptures on odoriferous black and yellow sticky sphere traps within one week of release, regression equations of male and female recaptures per trap were found to be similar (Figure 4-3). This is the first study to clearly indicate that post-teneral dispersal patterns of male and female B. tryoni released from a point do not differ, enabling the use of existing models to predict density of both sexes of B. tryoni following post-teneral dispersal. (ii) Males disperse further in Spring than in Autumn, but this is not temperature-related. Analysis of replicated recaptures in traps baited with cuelure revealed that dispersal of male B. tryoni in an orchard near Richmond, New South Wales, was higher in Spring than in Autumn (Figure 5-6). As the maximum daily temperature was significantly higher in Spring than in Autumn this result was unexpected, since earlier studies have found that B. tryoni disperse at the onset of cool weather in search of sheltered over-wintering sites. Dispersal of post-teneral B. tryoni may have been affected by habitat suitability; it was found that seasonal trends in dispersal could have been influenced by local habitat variables. Low mean dispersal distances in Autumn may be explained by the presence of fruiting hosts in the orchard, or the availability of resources required by over-wintering flies. There was no significant correlation between temperature and mean dispersal distance, suggesting that higher rates of dispersal cannot be explained by temperature-related increases in activity. Recapture rate per trap was significantly negatively correlated with increasing daily maximum and average temperature. This may have consequences for detection of B. tryoni outbreaks in quarantine areas due to reduced cuelure trap efficiency. (iii) Maturity and source variation affect dispersal and response to cuelure. This research indicated that most male and female B. tryoni do not disperse far from a release point, suggesting that an invading propagule would not spread far in the first generation. However, there is considerable variation in flight capability among individuals. Comparison of wild, laboratory-reared white marks, and gamma-irradiated sterile male B. tryoni indicated that mean dispersal distance and redistribution patterns were not significantly affected by fly origin. Despite no difference in dispersal distance from the release point, recaptures of wild and sterile males per Lynfield trap baited with cuelure were highest within one week after release, whereas recaptures of white marks males per trap increased in the second week. This result may offer evidence to support the hypothesis that sterile male B. tryoni respond to cuelure at an earlier age. Rearing conditions used to produce large quantities of males for sterilisation by gamma-irradiation may select for earlier sexual maturity. Mating Behaviour (i) Density and sex ratio do not affect mating, except at low densities. Demographic stochasticity in the form of sex ratio fluctuations at low population density can lead to an observed Allee effect. The effect of local group density and sex ratio on mating behaviour and male mating success of a laboratory-adapted strain of B. tryoni was examined in laboratory cages. In the laboratory-adapted strain of B. tryoni used in this study, a group of one female and one male was sufficient for a good chance of mating success. The proportion of females mated and male mating success was not significantly affected by density or sex ratio, although variability in male mating success was higher at low density. This could indicate that mating success of B. tryoni can be reduced when local group density is low owing to decreased frequency in encounters between males and females. (ii) Mass-reared males exhibit aberrant mating behaviour, but this does not reduce mating success. Strong artificial selection in mass-rearing facilities may lead to decreased competitiveness of sterile males released in SIT programs as a result of alteration or loss of ecological and behavioural traits required in the field. The effects of domestication and irradiation on the mating behaviour of males of B. tryoni were investigated by caging wild, mass-reared and sterile (mass-reared and gammairradiated) males with wild females. Mating behaviour of mass-reared males was different from that of wild males, but behaviour of wild and sterile males was similar. Mass-reared males were found to engage in mounting of other males much more frequently than wild and sterile males, and began calling significantly earlier before darkness. Male calling did not appear to be associated with female choice of mating partners, although this does not exclude the possibility that calling is a cue used by females to discriminate between mating partners. Conditions used to domesticate and rear large quantities of B. tryoni for SIT may select for an alternative male mating strategy, with mass-reared males calling earlier and exercising less discrimination between potential mating partners. Despite differences in behaviour of wild, mass-reared and sterile males, frequency of successful copulations and mating success were similar. (iii) Pheromone-calling by males was increased in larger aggregations but this did not result in significantly more female visits. Finally, large laboratory cages with artificial leks were used to investigate the importance in B. tryoni of male group size for female visitation at lek sites and initiation of male pheromone-calling. Calling propensity of male B. tryoni was increased by the presence of conspecific males. Females visited the largest lek more frequently than single males, but there was no correlation between lek size and female visitation. Female B. tryoni had a limited capacity to perceive a difference between the number of calling males; female visitation at leks was only weakly associated with male calling, suggesting that lek size and the number of pheromone-calling males may not be the only factor important in locating mates in B. tryoni. The weak, but positive correlation between male calling and female visitation may indicate that passive attraction maintains lek-mating in B. tryoni. Further studies are essential on mating behaviour of B. tryoni, including identification of male mating aggregations in the field, measurement of habitat variables associated with male aggregations, the influence of density on wild B. tryoni mating success, and the role of pheromone-calling, in order to optimise use of SIT for control of this pest.

Submitted by Socorro Pontes (socorrop@ufersa.edu.br) on 2017-07-21T12:19:39Z No. of bitstreams: 1 BarbaraKAS_DISSERT.pdf: 1042554 bytes, checksum: 2b0b000896ea7eadfda8bd600ae94914 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Vanessa Christiane (referencia@ufersa.edu.br) on 2017-07-25T14:44:30Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 BarbaraKAS_DISSERT.pdf: 1042554 bytes, checksum: 2b0b000896ea7eadfda8bd600ae94914 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Vanessa Christiane (referencia@ufersa.edu.br) on 2017-07-25T14:44:38Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 BarbaraKAS_DISSERT.pdf: 1042554 bytes, checksum: 2b0b000896ea7eadfda8bd600ae94914 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-07-25T14:45:37Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 BarbaraKAS_DISSERT.pdf: 1042554 bytes, checksum: 2b0b000896ea7eadfda8bd600ae94914 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-02-24 / Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico / The production and export of tropical fruits in nature is one of the main agricultural activities of the Northeastern Brazilian region, which is characterized by the semiarid climate. However, the presence of pest insects, such as fruit flies, hampers the production and export in this fruit segment. The main species of fruit flies of economic and quarantine importance in Brazilian semiarid is Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann) (Diptera: Tephritidae). The use of synthetic insecticides is still the most usual method for suppression of these populations. However, in the context of integrated production, the use of beneficial organisms is a desirable practice for a population decrease of these tefritídeos, featured the parasitoids. Although there is some information about the larval parasitoids of fruit flies in the semi-arid, there are practically no records of the occurrence of pupal parasitoids of C. capitata, in mentioned region. Therefore, the objective of this work was to verify if there are pupal parasitoids associated to C. capitata in the Brazilian semiarid. The survey was carried out in the municipality of Mossoró (RN), from May to September 2016. To obtain the parasitoids, pupae of C. capitata produced in the laboratory were exposed to natural parasitism in the field. In the surveys, four species of parasitoids were obtained, all belonging to the order Hymenoptera and family Pteromalidae: Spalangia simplex Perkins; Spalangia leiopleura Gibson; Spalangia impunctata Howard; and Pachycrepoideus vindemmiae (Rondani), the latter being the most common species, with a natural parasitism index of 12.17%. These are the first reports of S. leiopleura and S. impunctata parasitizing pupae of C. capitata, in Brazil / A produção e exportação de frutas tropicais in natura é uma das principais atividades agrícolas da região nordeste brasileira, que se caracteriza por apresentar clima semiárido. No entanto, a presença de insetos-praga, como as moscas-das-frutas, dificulta a produção e exportação nesse segmento frutícola. A principal espécie de moscas-das-frutas de importância econômica e quarentenária presente no semiárido brasileiro é a Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann) (Diptera: Tephritidae). O uso de inseticidas sintéticos ainda é o método mais usual para supressão dessas populações. Contudo, no contexto da produção integrada, a utilização de organismos benéficos é uma prática desejável para a diminuição populacional desses tefritídeos, com destaque aos parasitoides. Apesar de haver algumas informações sobre os parasitoides larvais de moscas-das-frutas no semiárido, praticamente não existem registros da ocorrência de parasitoides pupais de C. capitata na referida região. Portanto, o objetivo deste trabalho foi verificar se existem parasitoides pupais associados a C. capitata no semiárido brasileiro. O levantamento foi realizado no município de Mossoró (RN), no período de maio a setembro de 2016. Para obtenção dos parasitoides, pupas de C. capitata produzidas em laboratório foram expostas ao parasitismo natural em campo. Nos levantamentos, foram obtidas quatro espécies de parasitoides pupais, todas pertencentes à ordem Hymenoptera e família Pteromalidae: Spalangia simplex Perkins; Spalangia leiopleura Gibson; Spalangia impunctata Howard; e Pachycrepoideus vindemmiae (Rondani), sendo esta última a espécie mais comum, com índice de parasitismo natural de 12,17%. Estes são os primeiros relatos de S. leiopleura e S. impunctata parasitando pupas de C. capitata, no Brasil / 2017-07-21

Submitted by Claudia Rocha (claudia.rocha@udesc.br) on 2018-02-21T12:56:01Z No. of bitstreams: 1 PGPV15MA183.pdf: 451845 bytes, checksum: c7c1bdb79011956b4c8a951fea4e5aa8 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-02-21T12:56:01Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 PGPV15MA183.pdf: 451845 bytes, checksum: c7c1bdb79011956b4c8a951fea4e5aa8 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-08-26 / The objective of this study was to evaluate, under controlled conditions, the biological parameters of Anastrepha fraterculus in fruits of Campomanesia xanthocarpa (Berg.), cherry of rio grande (Eugenia involucrata DC.) And apple (Malus domestica) Gala variety and parameters morphological, biological and parasitism capacity D. longicaudata in larvae of A. fraterculus in fruits of C. xanthocarpa (Berg.), guava (Feijoa sellowiana Berg.), strawberry guava (Psidium cattleianum), Apple ( Malus domestica) Gala variety and peach (Prunus persica cv. Chimarrita). Before starting the experiment, green fruit C. xanthocarpa and the cherry of rio grande, were protected with TNT fabric bags to prevent oviposition of native flies. For apples were used without fruit of insecticides, kept in cold storage. The fruit maturation period were collected 200, 200 and 100 fruits of, C. xanthocarpa, cherry of rio grande and apple and placed in cages to infestation by A. fraterculus. Then these fruits were weighed individually stored in plastic pots with vermiculite, covered with fabric type voile and maintained in a room at 25 ± 1 C, 70 ± 10% RH and 14 hours photophase. The obtained pupae were weighed and isolated until the emergence of adults. After emergence, 25 couples each host were separated, and these individual cage formed by transparent plastic cup of 250 ml, whose top was covered with tissue type voile. At the top of each cage was placed a “oviposition panel” 7 cm in diameter made from rubberized fabric type voile with black silicone containing distilled water inside for obtaining eggs. For tests with D. longicaudata, fruits were protected with fabric bags TNT, picked in their respective ripening periods and taken to the laboratory to be infested by A. fraterculus. For C. xanthocarpa and strawberry guava they were infested 20 fruits of each species by repetition, totaling six repetitions. For the guava were held six repetitions with ten fruits in apple four replications with 20 fruits and peach were six replicates of ten fruits each. After eight to ten days the fruits were exposed to parasitoids in individual cages containing two couples of D. longicaudata per fruit. After this period the fruits were weighed individually stored in cups containing vermiculite, covered with fabric like voile and maintained in a room at 25 ± 1 C, 70 ± 10% RH and 14 hours photophase. The obtained pupae were placed in separate culture plates and subject to emergency flies or parasitoids. After emergence, it was found the size and parasitoid development time and the sex ratio. The percentage of parasitism was calculated by formula: N°. parasitoids / (N° of parasitoids + N°. flies) x 100. In the experiment on the biology of A. fraterculus larvae that developed in apple had the longest period of egg-larva (18.37 days) and egg-adult period (34.74 days). To adult stage, it was observed that the insects created in the cherry of rio grande and apple showed higher oviposition period, since the insects coming from C. xanthocarpa posted the largest daily fertility, with a rate of oviposition 20.70 eggs per day. Thus we can conclude that A. fraterculus completed all its stages in the evaluated fruits, occurring a delay in larval development in apples as a result of low nutritional value of this fruit as A.fraterculus host. Parasitoids in the percentage of parasitism in C. xanthocarpa, guava, strawberry guava, apple and peach was 88.34%; 87.63%; 69.66%, 71.05% and 34.25% respectively, confirming the good performance of the parasitoid that even though under laboratory conditions females of D. longicaudata inexperienced with fruit, were able to locate and parasitize fly larvae -the fruit. The size of the parasitoids was higher in A. fraterculus larvae that developed in C. xanthocarpa and peach. The parasitoids coming from C. xanthocarpa larvae showed the lowest development time for males (17.96 days) and females (20.94 days). Have low sex ratio, found in D. longicaudata female, coming from larvae of A. fraterculus that developed in guava and strawberry guava, may have association with the high percentage of unviable pupae, obtained in these hosts / O objetivo do presente trabalho foi avaliar, em condições controladas, os parâmetros biológicos de Anastrepha fraterculus em frutos de Cereja do rio grande (Eugenia involucrata DC.), Guabiroba (Campomanesia xanthocarpa Berg.) e Maçã (Malus domestica variedade Gala), a capacidade de parasitismo, os parâmetros biológicos e morfológicos de D. longicaudata em larvas de A. fraterculus em frutos de guabiroba (C. xanthocarpa Berg.), araçá-vermelho (Psidium cattleianum), goiaba-serrana (Feijoa sellowiana Berg.), pêssego (Prunus persica cv. Chimarrita) e Maçã (Malus domestica variedade Gala). Antes do início do experimento, os frutos verdes de guabiroba e cereja do rio grande, foram protegidos com sacos de tecido TNT para evitar a oviposição de moscas nativas. Para as maçãs foram utilizados frutos sem resíduo de inseticidas, mantidos em câmara fria. Na época de maturação dos frutos foram coletados 200, 200 e 100 frutos, de guabiroba, cereja do rio grande e maçã e acondicionados em gaiolas para infestação por A. fraterculus. Em seguida esses frutos foram pesados, armazenados individualmente em potes plásticos com vermiculita, cobertos com tecido tipo voile e mantidos em sala climatizada a 25±1 C, 70±10% de UR e 14 horas de fotofase. As pupas obtidas foram pesadas e individualizadas até a emergência dos adultos. Após a emergência, foram separados 25 casais de cada hospedeiro, sendo esses individualizados em gaiola formada por copo plástico transparente de 250 mL, cuja parte superior foi coberta com tecido tipo voile. Na parte superior de cada gaiola foi colocado um “painel de oviposição” de 7 cm de diâmetro confeccionado com tecido tipo voile emborrachado com silicone preto contendo água destilada em seu interior para a obtenção de ovos. Para os testes com D. longicaudata os frutos foram protegidos com sacos de tecido TNT, colhidos nas suas respectivas épocas de maturação e levados para o laboratório para serem infestados por A. fraterculus. Para a guabiroba e araçá-vermelho foram infestados 20 frutos de cada espécie por repetição, totalizando seis repetições. Para a goiaba-serrana foram realizadas seis repetições com dez frutos, em maçã quatro repetições com 20 frutos e para o pêssego foram seis repetições com dez frutos cada. Após oito a dez dias os frutos foram expostos aos parasitoides em gaiolas individualizadas contendo dois casais de D. longicaudata por fruto. Após esse período os frutos foram armazenados individualmente em copos, contendo vermiculita, cobertos com tecido tipo voile e mantidos em sala climatizada a 25±1 C, 70±10% de UR e 14 horas de fotofase. As pupas obtidas foram individualizadas em placas de cultura e observadas até a emergência de moscas ou parasitoides. Após a emergência, era verificado o tamanho e o tempo de desenvolvimento do parasitoide e a razão sexual. A porcentagem de parasitismo foi calculada pela formula: n° de parasitoides / (n° de parasitoides + n° de moscas) x 100. No experimento sobre a biologia de A. fraterculus, as larvas que se desenvolveram na maçã apresentaram o maior período de ovolarva (18,37 dias) e período de ovo-adulto (34,74 dias). Para a fase adulta, foi observado que os insetos que criados em cereja do rio grande e maçã apresentaram maior período de oviposição, já os insetos oriundos da guabiroba apresentaram a maior fecundidade diária, com um ritmo de oviposição de 20,70 ovos por dia. Desta forma podemos concluir que A. fraterculus completou todas as suas fases nos frutos avaliados, ocorrendo um atraso no desenvolvimento larval em maçãs, resultado da baixa qualidade nutricional desse fruto como hospedeiro de A. fraterculus. Nos parasitoides a porcentagem de parasitismo em guabiroba, araçá-vermelho, goiaba-serrana, maçã e pêssego foi de 88,34%; 87,63%; 69,66%, 71,05% e 34,25% respectivamente, constatando a ótima performance do parasitoide que mesmo sendo em condições de laboratório as fêmeas de D. longicaudata sem experiência prévia com frutos, foram capazes de localizar e parasitar as larvas de mosca-dasfrutas. O tamanho dos parasitoides foi maior em larvas de A. fraterculus que se desenvolveram em guabiroba e pêssego. Os parasitoides oriundos de larvas da guabiroba apresentaram o menor tempo de desenvolvimento para machos (17,96 dias) e fêmeas (20,94 dias). Já a baixa razão sexual, encontrada em fêmeas de D. longicaudata, oriundas de larvas de A. fraterculus que se desenvolveram no araçá-vermelho e na goiaba-serrana, pode ter associação com a alta porcentagem de pupas inviáveis, obtida nesses hospedeiros