Made available in DSpace on 2016-08-12T19:15:31Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 WignaGNS_DISSERT.pdf: 513215 bytes, checksum: 78dc5f47f01abd85a7757079de7ad67a (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-02-12 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / Brazil is one of the largest fruit producers in the world, however part of its production is not exported due to phytosanitary barriers imposed by importing countries. The incidence of frugivorous flies in orchards cause depreciation in fruits and serious damage to the producer, an alternative for the control of these pests, are parasitoids. The objective of this study was know to frugivorous flies and their parasitoids, associated with mango fruits in two maturity stages and the fruit of ripe guava. Mango fruits were harvested at physiological maturity stage and mature on the plant, and fruit ripe guava in the states of Rio Grande do Norte (Polo Açu-Mossoró) and Ceará. After harvest, the fruits were taken to the of laboratory of applied entomology of UFERSA, where they were weighed and placed in plastic containers containing vermiculite and closed with voile fabric. After 10 to 15 days vermiculite was sieved and pupae obtained counted and placed in Petri dishes until the emergence of adults. Also were placed traps types of McPhail and Jackson, containing hydrolyzed corn protein 5% and Trimedilure, respectively, in four orchards with products intended to export. Weekly (McPhail) and fortnightly (Jackson), the traps were monitored and insects captured sent to the laboratory. We collected 400 mango fruits and 1.331 guava fruits. The mango fruits in physiological maturity stage were not infested by any insect, since the ripe fruit on the plant were infested by C. capitata (34.4%) and Z. indianus (65.6%), the guava fruits were obtained only pupae of Z. indianus. Besides the flies were found collected figitídeos parasitoids of Z. indianus. Only, C. capitata was captured in traps and contacted that non infestation of the fruits in physiological maturity stage, for this tefritídeo is not associated with its population density in the orchard, but the inherent fruit factors / O Brasil é um dos maiores produtores de frutas do mundo, no entanto a incidência de dípteros frugívoros nos pomares causa sérios prejuízos a produção, devido ao fato de suas larvas alimentarem-se dos frutos tornando-os impróprios para o consumo in natura, além de algumas espécies, como as moscas-das-frutas, limitarem a exportação da produção. O controle desses dípteros é realizado basicamente utilizando produtos químicos, porém devido as exigências do mercado consumidor, métodos alternativos de controle estão sendo cada vez mais utilizados, como por exemplo, os parasitoides. Este trabalho teve como objetivos: a) Conhecer os dípteros frugívoros associados a frutos de manga e qual estádio de maturação (maturação fisiológica ou maduro na planta) é mais suscetível a infestação pelos dípteros frugívoros, em pomares comerciais localizados no Polo Açu-Mossoró (RN) e b) relatar a ocorrência de figitídeos parasitoides de drosofilídeos em frutos maduros de manga e goiaba, nos estados do Rio Grande do Norte e Ceará, respectivamente. Os frutos coletados eram encaminhados ao laboratório de Entomologia Aplicada da UFERSA, onde eram pesados, acondicionados em recipientes plásticos contendo vermiculita e fechados com tecido voile. Decorridos 10 a 15 dias a vermiculita era peneirada e os pupários obtidos contados e colocados em placas de Petri até a emergência dos adultos. Os frutos de manga no estádio de maturação fisiológica não estavam infestados por diptero, já os frutos de manga maduros estavam infestados por C. capitata (34,4%) e Z. indianus (65,6%). Verificou-se também que a não infestação de C. capitata nos frutos de manga no estádio de maturação fisiológica está relacionado com as características dos frutos e não a densidade populacional da praga no campo. Associados aos frutos maduros de manga e goiaba foram encontrados exemplares de Dicerataspis grenadensis e Leptopilina boulardi, respectivamente, e este é o primeiro relato de D. grenadensis no estado do Rio Grande do Norte e de L. boulardi no Ceará

Made available in DSpace on 2016-08-12T19:18:49Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 WignaGNS_DISSERT.pdf: 513215 bytes, checksum: 78dc5f47f01abd85a7757079de7ad67a (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-02-12 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / Brazil is one of the largest fruit producers in the world, however part of its production is not exported due to phytosanitary barriers imposed by importing countries. The incidence of frugivorous flies in orchards cause depreciation in fruits and serious damage to the producer, an alternative for the control of these pests, are parasitoids. The objective of this study was know to frugivorous flies and their parasitoids, associated with mango fruits in two maturity stages and the fruit of ripe guava. Mango fruits were harvested at physiological maturity stage and mature on the plant, and fruit ripe guava in the states of Rio Grande do Norte (Polo Açu-Mossoró) and Ceará. After harvest, the fruits were taken to the of laboratory of applied entomology of UFERSA, where they were weighed and placed in plastic containers containing vermiculite and closed with voile fabric. After 10 to 15 days vermiculite was sieved and pupae obtained counted and placed in Petri dishes until the emergence of adults. Also were placed traps types of McPhail and Jackson, containing hydrolyzed corn protein 5% and Trimedilure, respectively, in four orchards with products intended to export. Weekly (McPhail) and fortnightly (Jackson), the traps were monitored and insects captured sent to the laboratory. We collected 400 mango fruits and 1.331 guava fruits. The mango fruits in physiological maturity stage were not infested by any insect, since the ripe fruit on the plant were infested by C. capitata (34.4%) and Z. indianus (65.6%), the guava fruits were obtained only pupae of Z. indianus. Besides the flies were found collected figitídeos parasitoids of Z. indianus. Only, C. capitata was captured in traps and contacted that non infestation of the fruits in physiological maturity stage, for this tefritídeo is not associated with its population density in the orchard, but the inherent fruit factors / O Brasil é um dos maiores produtores de frutas do mundo, no entanto a incidência de dípteros frugívoros nos pomares causa sérios prejuízos a produção, devido ao fato de suas larvas alimentarem-se dos frutos tornando-os impróprios para o consumo in natura, além de algumas espécies, como as moscas-das-frutas, limitarem a exportação da produção. O controle desses dípteros é realizado basicamente utilizando produtos químicos, porém devido as exigências do mercado consumidor, métodos alternativos de controle estão sendo cada vez mais utilizados, como por exemplo, os parasitoides. Este trabalho teve como objetivos: a) Conhecer os dípteros frugívoros associados a frutos de manga e qual estádio de maturação (maturação fisiológica ou maduro na planta) é mais suscetível a infestação pelos dípteros frugívoros, em pomares comerciais localizados no Polo Açu-Mossoró (RN) e b) relatar a ocorrência de figitídeos parasitoides de drosofilídeos em frutos maduros de manga e goiaba, nos estados do Rio Grande do Norte e Ceará, respectivamente. Os frutos coletados eram encaminhados ao laboratório de Entomologia Aplicada da UFERSA, onde eram pesados, acondicionados em recipientes plásticos contendo vermiculita e fechados com tecido voile. Decorridos 10 a 15 dias a vermiculita era peneirada e os pupários obtidos contados e colocados em placas de Petri até a emergência dos adultos. Os frutos de manga no estádio de maturação fisiológica não estavam infestados por diptero, já os frutos de manga maduros estavam infestados por C. capitata (34,4%) e Z. indianus (65,6%). Verificou-se também que a não infestação de C. capitata nos frutos de manga no estádio de maturação fisiológica está relacionado com as características dos frutos e não a densidade populacional da praga no campo. Associados aos frutos maduros de manga e goiaba foram encontrados exemplares de Dicerataspis grenadensis e Leptopilina boulardi, respectivamente, e este é o primeiro relato de D. grenadensis no estado do Rio Grande do Norte e de L. boulardi no Ceará

Graduation date: 1994

Η οικογένεια Tephritidae των Διπτέρων εντόμων περιλαμβάνει είδη με μεγάλη οικονομική σημασία. Τα περισσότερα αποτελούν σημαντικά παράσιτα γεωργικών καλλιεργειών προκαλώντας μεγάλες καταστροφές στην παραγωγή φρούτων και λαχανικών παγκοσμίως. Τα σημαντικότερα παράσιτα ανήκουν στα γένη Anastrepha, Bactrocera, Ceratitis, Dacus και Rhagoletis. Η μελέτη των ειδών αυτών στο επίπεδο της γενετικής και της μοριακής βιολογίας θα μπορούσε να συμβάλλει σημαντικά στην ανάπτυξη μεθόδων βιολογικού ελέγχου των πληθυσμών τους. Με εξαίρεση τη Μεσογειακή μύγα, Ceratitis capitata, που θεωρείται ο καλύτερα μελετημένος οργανισμός της οικογένειας, η πληροφορία για άλλα είδη είναι πολύ περιορισμένη. Στη παρούσα μελέτη εξετάσθηκε η πιθανότητα δια-ειδικής ενίσχυσης μικροδορυφορικών δεικτών που αναπτύχθηκαν στο εργαστήριό μας για τη Μεσογειακή μύγα σε είδη των γενών Anastrephα, Bactrocera και Rhagoletis καθώς και στο είδος C. fasciventris με κύριο στόχο την ανάπτυξη κατάλληλων γενετικών δεικτών που θα μπορούσαν να χρησιμοποιηθούν σε γενετικές ή και πληθυσμιακές μελέτες των ειδών αυτών. Από τους 102 μικροδορυφορικούς δείκτες που αναλύθηκαν μέσω της PCR, οι 31 (31%) έδωσαν δια-ειδική ενίσχυση σε τουλάχιστον ένα από τα εξεταζόμενα είδη έκτος του γένους Ceratitis. Το αντίστοιχο ποσοστό για την C. fasciventris ήταν 67,75%. Το μέγεθος των προϊόντων αυτών ήταν παρόμοιο ή και ταυτόσημο με το αναμενόμενο στη Μεσογειακή μύγα. Τα αποτελέσματα από την αλληλούχιση των προϊόντων PCR και τη σύγκριση τους με τις αντίστοιχες περιοχές της Μεσογειακής Μύγας δείχνουν ότι η δομή των μικροδορυφορικών μοτίβων αλλά και των μοναδικών περιοχών που τους περιβάλλουν φαίνεται να διατηρείται στη πλειοψηφία των περιπτώσεων για τη C. fasciventris. Σε όλες τις περιπτώσεις που εξετάσθηκαν βρέθηκαν επαναλαμβανόμενα μοτίβα. Η συγκριτική ανάλυση των αλληλουχιών αυτών μπορεί να προσφέρει πολύτιμους γενετικούς δείκτες για τα είδη αυτά αλλά και πληροφορίες για τις φυλογενετικές τους σχέσεις. / Tephritidae family of Diptera includes species of great economical importance. Most of them are significant parasites of agriculture causing severe damages by attacking fruits and vegetables world wide.The most important pests belong to the genera Anastrepha, Bactrocera, Ceratitis, Dacus and Rhagoletis. Studies of these species on genetic and molecular level could contribute significantly to the development of methods for their biological control. Except for the Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata, which is the best understood fruit fly pest at the genetic/molecular level, limited information exists for other species. In the present work we examined the possibility of cross-species amplification of microsatellite markers that were developed in our laboratory for C. capitata. Cross-species analyses were performed on species belonging to the genera Anastrepha, Bactrocera and Rhagoletis as well as C. fasciventris, aiming at the development of suitable markers that could be used in genetic and/or population studies of these species. A total of 102 microsatellites markers were examined through PCR. Thirty one of them (31%) showed cross-species amplification in at least one of the analyzed species. The percentage for C. fasciventris was 67.75%. The majority of the products were similar or identical in size to those expected in C. capitata. Sequencing analyses of the PCR products are when compared to the Medfly markers demonstrate that the structures of the repeat motifs and their flanking sequences are maintained in most studied cases that involve C. fasciventris. In every case studied repeat motifs were found. This analysis can provide not only useful genetic markers for the analyzed species but also information for their phylogenetic relationships.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:25:18Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2009-02-19Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T20:53:00Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 fernandes_drr_me_jabo.pdf: 1682299 bytes, checksum: 857694a3592c34a735a068d3d1efe73f (MD5) / Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) / Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) / Este estudo objetivou estabelecer as associações entre lepidópteros desfolhadores e moscas frugívoras com seus parasitóides em uma cultura de café, em Cravinhos, SP. Os lepidópteros desfolhadores foram obtidos com guarda-chuva entomológico, rede de varredura e por catação manual. Para a obtenção de pupários de tefritóideos foram realizadas seis coletas de aproximadamente quatro kg de frutos/coleta e, para a obtenção de pupários de drosofilídeos, coletas de frutos em estágio de cereja diretamente das plantas, sendo parte deles exposta em bandejas sob suas copas. Foram obtidos 96 lepidópteros pertencentes a três famílias e sete espécies: Lophocampa sp. (Arctiidae), Glena sp., Herbita sp. Physocleora sp. e Prochoerodes sp. (Geometridae) e Lascoria sp. e Leucania sp.(Noctuidae); também emergiram duas espécies de parasitóides: Protapanteles sp. (Braconidae) e Casinaria sp. (Ichneumonidae). Dos frutos destinados à obtenção de tefritóideos foram obtidos 2.920 pupários, de onde emergiram adultos de Ceratitis capitata (14%) e Anastrepha fraterculus (86%) e os parasitóides Asobara anastrephae, Doryctobracon areolatus, Microcrasis lonchaeae e Utetes anastrephae e 126 pupários de lonqueídeos, de onde emergiram 85 adultos de Neosilba pendula e os parasitóides U. anastrephae e M. lonchaeae. Dos frutos coletados diretamente das plantas foram obtidos 35 pupários, de onde emergiram 24 drosofilídeos pertencentes a três espécies: Zaprionus indianus, Drosophila nebulosa e D. simulans e, dos frutos mantidos sob a copa das plantas, 24 pupários, de onde emergiram exemplares de Z. indianus, D. cardini, D. immigrans e D. willistoni; também foi observada a emergência do parasitóide Ganaspis sp. / The objective of this study was to establish the associations between Lepidoptera defoliators and frugivorous flies with their parasitoids in coffee crop in Cravinhos, SP, Brazil. The Lepidoptera defoliators were obtained from the beating tray, sweeping net and manual collecting. To obtain tephritoids pupae were harvested approximately 4kg of fruits/sample, and to obtain drosophilids pupae, fruits in cherry stage were collected directly from the tree, and part of them was exposed under the canopy. If was obtained 96 Lepidoptera specimens of three families and seven species: Lophocampa sp. (Arctiidae), Glena sp., Herbita sp. Physocleora sp. and Prochoerodes sp. (Geometridae) and Lascoria sp. and Leucania sp. (Noctuidae); also two parasitoids species has emerged: Protapanteles sp. (Braconidae) and Casinaria sp. (Ichneumonidae). Of the fruits destined to obtain tephritoids 2.920 pupae were obtained, from which emerged adults of Ceratitis capitata (14%) and Anastrepha fraterculus (86%) and their parasitoids Asobara anastrephae, Doryctobracon areolatus, Microcrasis lonchaeae and Utetes anastrephae and 126 pupae of lonchaeids from which emerged 85 adults of Neosilba pendula and their parasitoids M. lonchaeae and U. anastrephae. From the fruits harvested were obtained 35 pupae from which emerged 24 drosophilid of three species: Zaprionus indianus, Drosophila nebulosa and D. simulans. The fruits kept from under the canopy, 24 pupae, where of which emerged specimens of Z. indianus, D. cardini, D. immigrans and D. willistoni; also was observed the occurrence of parasitoid Ganaspis sp.

Resumo: Este estudo objetivou estabelecer as associações entre lepidópteros desfolhadores e moscas frugívoras com seus parasitóides em uma cultura de café, em Cravinhos, SP. Os lepidópteros desfolhadores foram obtidos com guarda-chuva entomológico, rede de varredura e por catação manual. Para a obtenção de pupários de tefritóideos foram realizadas seis coletas de aproximadamente quatro kg de frutos/coleta e, para a obtenção de pupários de drosofilídeos, coletas de frutos em estágio de cereja diretamente das plantas, sendo parte deles exposta em bandejas sob suas copas. Foram obtidos 96 lepidópteros pertencentes a três famílias e sete espécies: Lophocampa sp. (Arctiidae), Glena sp., Herbita sp. Physocleora sp. e Prochoerodes sp. (Geometridae) e Lascoria sp. e Leucania sp.(Noctuidae); também emergiram duas espécies de parasitóides: Protapanteles sp. (Braconidae) e Casinaria sp. (Ichneumonidae). Dos frutos destinados à obtenção de tefritóideos foram obtidos 2.920 pupários, de onde emergiram adultos de Ceratitis capitata (14%) e Anastrepha fraterculus (86%) e os parasitóides Asobara anastrephae, Doryctobracon areolatus, Microcrasis lonchaeae e Utetes anastrephae e 126 pupários de lonqueídeos, de onde emergiram 85 adultos de Neosilba pendula e os parasitóides U. anastrephae e M. lonchaeae. Dos frutos coletados diretamente das plantas foram obtidos 35 pupários, de onde emergiram 24 drosofilídeos pertencentes a três espécies: Zaprionus indianus, Drosophila nebulosa e D. simulans e, dos frutos mantidos sob a copa das plantas, 24 pupários, de onde emergiram exemplares de Z. indianus, D. cardini, D. immigrans e D. willistoni; também foi observada a emergência do parasitóide Ganaspis sp. / Abstract: The objective of this study was to establish the associations between Lepidoptera defoliators and frugivorous flies with their parasitoids in coffee crop in Cravinhos, SP, Brazil. The Lepidoptera defoliators were obtained from the beating tray, sweeping net and manual collecting. To obtain tephritoids pupae were harvested approximately 4kg of fruits/sample, and to obtain drosophilids pupae, fruits in cherry stage were collected directly from the tree, and part of them was exposed under the canopy. If was obtained 96 Lepidoptera specimens of three families and seven species: Lophocampa sp. (Arctiidae), Glena sp., Herbita sp. Physocleora sp. and Prochoerodes sp. (Geometridae) and Lascoria sp. and Leucania sp. (Noctuidae); also two parasitoids species has emerged: Protapanteles sp. (Braconidae) and Casinaria sp. (Ichneumonidae). Of the fruits destined to obtain tephritoids 2.920 pupae were obtained, from which emerged adults of Ceratitis capitata (14%) and Anastrepha fraterculus (86%) and their parasitoids Asobara anastrephae, Doryctobracon areolatus, Microcrasis lonchaeae and Utetes anastrephae and 126 pupae of lonchaeids from which emerged 85 adults of Neosilba pendula and their parasitoids M. lonchaeae and U. anastrephae. From the fruits harvested were obtained 35 pupae from which emerged 24 drosophilid of three species: Zaprionus indianus, Drosophila nebulosa and D. simulans. The fruits kept from under the canopy, 24 pupae, where of which emerged specimens of Z. indianus, D. cardini, D. immigrans and D. willistoni; also was observed the occurrence of parasitoid Ganaspis sp. / Orientador: Nelson Wanderley Perioto / Coorientadora: Nilza Maria Martinelli / Banca: Sergio Antonio De Bortoli / Banca: Miguel Francisco de Souza Filho / Mestre

O zoneamento ecológico exploratório de Anastrepha fraterculus e de Ceratitis capitata foi baseado nos dados climáticos de 497 estações meteorológicas de todo o Brasil para o clima recente (1961 - 1990) e nos dados climáticos previstos pelo IPCC para o clima futuro (2080 no cenário A2). Com esses dados, foram confeccionados evapluviogramas para calcular o índice de desenvolvimento das duas espécies, com base em suas necessidades térmicas e de umidade de solo. Os índices de desenvolvimento foram espacializados pelo sistema de informações geográficas SPRING 4.1.1 e divididos em cinco classes. As localidades mais propícias ao desenvolvimento de A. fraterculus, no clima recente, localizam-se nas regiões Sudeste e Sul. Essas regiões apresentam temperaturas médias mensais dentro da faixa mesotérmica de desenvolvimento da espécie e período curto de estiagem. Por outro lado, as localidades com condições menos favoráveis estão no semi-árido da região Nordeste, onde as temperaturas ficam sempre acima da temperatura-limite de desenvolvimento da mosca-das-frutas sul-americana e as condições hídricas são inadequadas ao desenvolvimento da fase de pupa. Com o aumento da temperatura, devido ao aquecimento global previsto para 2080 (cenário A2), as regiões Norte, Nordeste e Centro-Oeste serão completamente desfavoráveis ao desenvolvimento de A. fraterculus. Na região Sul e parte da Sudeste, a temperatura ficará dentro da faixa mesotérmica de desenvolvimento de A. fraterculus, mesmo com o aumento da temperatura, mas em alguns meses, excederá a temperatura-limite superior de desenvolvimento. No entanto, as condições hídricas serão desfavoráveis em grande parte do ano. No cenário do clima recente, as regiões Norte e Nordeste, com as temperaturas elevadas, são desfavoráveis ao desenvolvimento de C. capitata durante o ano todo. No Nordeste, também as condições hídricas só são favoráveis em curto período do ano. Na região Centro-Oeste, de março a agosto, parte do Mato Grosso do Sul e de Goiás são desfavoráveis ao desenvolvimento de C. capitata, em razão da precipitação pluvial baixa. Na região Sudeste, o período de setembro a março é favorável ao desenvolvimento, em razão da temperatura e condição hídrica adequadas. Na região Sul, apenas em maio e junho, quando ocorrem as menores temperaturas, o período é desfavorável ao desenvolvimento de C. capitata. Na previsão para 2080, devido principalmente ao aumento da temperatura causado pelo aquecimento global, apenas nos estados de Santa Catarina e do Rio Grande do Sul, haverá condições climáticas apropriadas ao desenvolvimento da mosca-do-mediterrâneo. Portanto, as mudanças climáticas previstas serão menos favoráveis ao desenvolvimento de C. capitata (espécie exótica) do de A. fraterculus (espécie nativa). / Exploratory ecological zoning for the South American fruit fly, Anastrepha fraterculus, and the medfly, Ceratitis capitata, were established based on data of 497 meteorological stations throughout Brazil, considering recent (1961 - 1990) and future climate forecast by IPPC (2080, A2 scenario). Climograms were used to estimate the South American fruit fly and medfly development indexes (Id) based on their thermal and soil moisture requirements. The development index was divided into five classes and spacialized by using the SPRING 4.1.1 geographical information system. Based on development index the Southwest and South regions were the most suitable for Anastrepha fraterculus in the recent climate. These regions have average monthly temperatures within the mesothermic range of A. fraterculus development and a short period of drought, while the unfavorable localities were situated in the semi-arid of the Northwest region, where temperatures are always above the threshold temperature of development and soil moisture are unsuitable for the pupa stage. For the increase of temperature due to global warming foreseen for 2080 (scenario A2), the North, Northwest and Center-West regions will become entirely unsuitable for the South American fruit fly development. Temperatures within the mesothermic range of development will still be available in part of Southwest region and in the South region, even with the increase of the temperature. However, the hydric conditions will be unfavorable for most of the year, and the upper temperature threshold will be exceeded in warmer months. For Ceratitis capitata, the recent climate of the North and Northwest regions were unsuitable for its development due to the high temperatures year-round. In the Northwest region, the hydric conditions will be favourable for a short period of the year. The low rainfall from March to August will make part of the state of Mato Grosso do Sul and Goiás unfavorable for medfly development in the Center-West region. In the Southwest region, temperature and hydric conditions from September to March are inadequate for medfly development. In the South region, conditions will be unfavorable to medfly development only during the months of May and June, when low temperatures occur. In the prediction for 2080, due to the temperature increase, only Santa Catarina and Rio Grande do Sul states will have adequate climatic conditions to allow for C. capitata development. Therefore, the foreseen climate changes will be more unfavorable for the development of C. capitata (exotic species) than A. fraterculus (native species).

This thesis investigated the autecology of the dacine species, Bactrocera cacuminata (Hering) (Diptera: Tephritidae: Dacinae). I specifically focused on the adult phase of the life cycle and resources believed to be significant to this life stage. The prevailing paradigm in dacine ecology predicts that the larval host plant serves as the centre of dacine activity, a state mediated by mutualistic associations with fruit fly-type bacteria. Contrary to predictions, an explicit test of this hypothesis found that the host plant of B. cacuminata, Solanum mauritianum Scopoli, acted almost exclusively as a site for oviposition and larval development. Other key adult behaviours, most notably feeding and mating, were rare at the host plant. Even in disturbed habitats, the paucity of key adult behaviours such as mating was striking. Adult flies of this species were therefore hypothesized to be utilizing other components of their habitat, i.e. resources vital to their life history requirements. Some of the resources that B. cacuminata are known to respond to include sugar, protein, methyl eugenol and the host plant. The latter three resources are believed to be critical in the reproductive success of dacine flies in general. I assessed the physiological status of flies arriving at these resources to determine if flies of different status foraged for resources differently. In dacines, the internal reproductive structures of the male and female flies have been used as predictors of physiological status. I quantified expansion of the male ejaculatory apodeme in B. cacuminata with age of fly and found that there is a threshold apodeme size that is strongly correlated Abstract with sexual maturity. Maturity of female flies could be accurately predicted by ovarian development. Using these methods to assess the physiological and nutritional status of flies arriving at resources (larval host plant, protein and methyl eugenol) in the field, I discovered that only sexually mature and mated females were responding to the host plant, while the males at the host plant were sexually immature. This confirmed the hypothesis that the host plant primarily served as an oviposition site. Additionally, this study revealed that sexually mature males with high nutritional reserves were most commonly collected at methyl eugenol (a plant-derived chemical that elicits a strong response in males of many dacine species) at dusk, the time of peak sexual activity in this species. This indicated that methyl eugenol was perhaps a significant resource in the context of the reproductive behaviour of this species. Methyl eugenol (ME) is one of group of phenyl propanoids to which males of certain species of Dacinae respond. The current hypothesis of the role of these phenyl propanoids is that they function as pheromone precursor chemicals. Response to these chemicals is hypothesized to be a trait under sexual selection. In Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel), this effect is so strong that a single feeding on ME results in a strong mating advantage up to a month after males feed on the chemical. Bactrocera cacuminata fed on multiple occasions on ME in a laboratory bioassay. After a single 24-hour exposure to ME, investigations of mating competitiveness did not reveal any obvious advantage for ME-fed males over unfed males. However, ME-fed males did enjoy a higher mating success 16 and 32 days after exposure to the chemical, suggesting that some physiological benefits unrelated to the pheromone synthesis was driving this delayed advantage. Investigation of the physiological consequences of feeding on ME revealed no enhancement of nutritional or energetic reserves, suggesting that the delayed mating advantage observed was more likely a chance event. An alternate hypothesis about the proximate function of ME, proposed by Robert Metcalf, is that it serves as a mate rendezvous site. As mating behaviour was notably absent at the host plant, I tested Metcalf’s hypothesis. A field-cage experiment, spatially separating adult resources (host plant, methyl eugenol, sugar and protein) clearly demonstrated that methyl eugenol was functioning as a mate rendezvous stimulus for B. cacuminata. This is the first direct support for Metcalf’s hypothesis. A synthesis of the literature revealed that significantly greater ecological and evolutionary information was required to understand the basis of dacine response to phenyl propanoids. Different dacine species may be utilizing these chemicals differently, even if their evolutionary origin may have been as a plant based kairomone. My studies show that generalizations on the ecology and behaviour of Dacinae, often extrapolated from research on a few pest species, do not hold up in the case of B. cacuminata. This suggests that a more autecological, species-specific approach is required in dacine research, before any predictive generalizations can be made.

O zoneamento ecológico exploratório de Anastrepha fraterculus e de Ceratitis capitata foi baseado nos dados climáticos de 497 estações meteorológicas de todo o Brasil para o clima recente (1961 - 1990) e nos dados climáticos previstos pelo IPCC para o clima futuro (2080 no cenário A2). Com esses dados, foram confeccionados evapluviogramas para calcular o índice de desenvolvimento das duas espécies, com base em suas necessidades térmicas e de umidade de solo. Os índices de desenvolvimento foram espacializados pelo sistema de informações geográficas SPRING 4.1.1 e divididos em cinco classes. As localidades mais propícias ao desenvolvimento de A. fraterculus, no clima recente, localizam-se nas regiões Sudeste e Sul. Essas regiões apresentam temperaturas médias mensais dentro da faixa mesotérmica de desenvolvimento da espécie e período curto de estiagem. Por outro lado, as localidades com condições menos favoráveis estão no semi-árido da região Nordeste, onde as temperaturas ficam sempre acima da temperatura-limite de desenvolvimento da mosca-das-frutas sul-americana e as condições hídricas são inadequadas ao desenvolvimento da fase de pupa. Com o aumento da temperatura, devido ao aquecimento global previsto para 2080 (cenário A2), as regiões Norte, Nordeste e Centro-Oeste serão completamente desfavoráveis ao desenvolvimento de A. fraterculus. Na região Sul e parte da Sudeste, a temperatura ficará dentro da faixa mesotérmica de desenvolvimento de A. fraterculus, mesmo com o aumento da temperatura, mas em alguns meses, excederá a temperatura-limite superior de desenvolvimento. No entanto, as condições hídricas serão desfavoráveis em grande parte do ano. No cenário do clima recente, as regiões Norte e Nordeste, com as temperaturas elevadas, são desfavoráveis ao desenvolvimento de C. capitata durante o ano todo. No Nordeste, também as condições hídricas só são favoráveis em curto período do ano. Na região Centro-Oeste, de março a agosto, parte do Mato Grosso do Sul e de Goiás são desfavoráveis ao desenvolvimento de C. capitata, em razão da precipitação pluvial baixa. Na região Sudeste, o período de setembro a março é favorável ao desenvolvimento, em razão da temperatura e condição hídrica adequadas. Na região Sul, apenas em maio e junho, quando ocorrem as menores temperaturas, o período é desfavorável ao desenvolvimento de C. capitata. Na previsão para 2080, devido principalmente ao aumento da temperatura causado pelo aquecimento global, apenas nos estados de Santa Catarina e do Rio Grande do Sul, haverá condições climáticas apropriadas ao desenvolvimento da mosca-do-mediterrâneo. Portanto, as mudanças climáticas previstas serão menos favoráveis ao desenvolvimento de C. capitata (espécie exótica) do de A. fraterculus (espécie nativa). / Exploratory ecological zoning for the South American fruit fly, Anastrepha fraterculus, and the medfly, Ceratitis capitata, were established based on data of 497 meteorological stations throughout Brazil, considering recent (1961 - 1990) and future climate forecast by IPPC (2080, A2 scenario). Climograms were used to estimate the South American fruit fly and medfly development indexes (Id) based on their thermal and soil moisture requirements. The development index was divided into five classes and spacialized by using the SPRING 4.1.1 geographical information system. Based on development index the Southwest and South regions were the most suitable for Anastrepha fraterculus in the recent climate. These regions have average monthly temperatures within the mesothermic range of A. fraterculus development and a short period of drought, while the unfavorable localities were situated in the semi-arid of the Northwest region, where temperatures are always above the threshold temperature of development and soil moisture are unsuitable for the pupa stage. For the increase of temperature due to global warming foreseen for 2080 (scenario A2), the North, Northwest and Center-West regions will become entirely unsuitable for the South American fruit fly development. Temperatures within the mesothermic range of development will still be available in part of Southwest region and in the South region, even with the increase of the temperature. However, the hydric conditions will be unfavorable for most of the year, and the upper temperature threshold will be exceeded in warmer months. For Ceratitis capitata, the recent climate of the North and Northwest regions were unsuitable for its development due to the high temperatures year-round. In the Northwest region, the hydric conditions will be favourable for a short period of the year. The low rainfall from March to August will make part of the state of Mato Grosso do Sul and Goiás unfavorable for medfly development in the Center-West region. In the Southwest region, temperature and hydric conditions from September to March are inadequate for medfly development. In the South region, conditions will be unfavorable to medfly development only during the months of May and June, when low temperatures occur. In the prediction for 2080, due to the temperature increase, only Santa Catarina and Rio Grande do Sul states will have adequate climatic conditions to allow for C. capitata development. Therefore, the foreseen climate changes will be more unfavorable for the development of C. capitata (exotic species) than A. fraterculus (native species).

This thesis has two focuses. The first problem facing the olive industry in the Eastern Cape is the growers’ perceptions of both what the industry will provide them and what a pest management program might entail. The second focus is the biology of olive pests in the Eastern Cape in terms of understanding their populations and their natural enemies on private farms, with future hopes of understanding how Integrated Pest Management strategies can be developed for this crop. Eastern Cape private farmers, small-scale farmers and workers from agricultural training institutions were interviewed regarding the history and cultivation of the local olive crop. Only one commercially viable olive grove was identified; other groves were small, experimental pilot ventures. The introduction of olives to small-scale farmers and agricultural training schools was generally a top-down initiative that led to a lack of sense of ownership and the trees being neglected. Other problems included poor human capital; poor financial capital; lack of adequate support; lack of knowledge transfer and stability; lack of communication and evaluation procedures of the project; miscommunication; and finally, olive pests. Apart from hesitancy to plant at a commercial scale, the main problem facing private farmers (Varnam Farm, Hewlands Farm and Springvale Farm) was pests. Therefore an investigation of pests from private farms was conducted ranging from collection of cultivated and wild olive fruit and flea beetle larvae for parasitism, trapping systems both for fruit flies and olive flea beetle adults. A survey of olive fruits yielded larval fruit flies of the families Tephritidae (Bactrocera oleae (Rossi), B. biguttula (Bezzi) and Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann)) and Drosophilidae (Drosophila melanogaster (Meigen)) from wild olives (O. europaea cuspidata (Wall. ex G. Don) Cif.) but none from cultivated olives (O. e. europaea L.). Braconid wasps (Opiinae and Braconinae) were reared only from fruits containing B. oleae and B. biguttula. This suggests that B. oleae is not of economic significance in the Eastern Cape, perhaps because it is controlled to a significant level by natural enemies, but B. biguttula may be a potential economic pest. A survey of adult fruit flies using ChamP traps baited with ammonium bicarbonate and spiroketal capsules and Sensus trap baited with methyl eugenol and Questlure confirmed the relative importance of B. biguttula over B. oleae. ChamP traps were over 50 times better than Sensus traps for mass trapping of B. biguttula but both were ineffective for trapping B. oleae and C. capitata. Six indigenous flea beetles of the genus Argopistes Motschulsky (Chrysomelidae: Alticinae) were found, three described by Bryant in 1922 and 1944 and three new species. Their morphology was investigated by scanning electron microscopy and mutivariate morphometric analysis. The leaf-mining larvae are pests of wild and cultivated olives in South Africa and threaten the local olive industry. At Springvale Farm, A. oleae Bryant and A. sexvittatus Bryant preferred the upper parts of trees, near new leaves. Pseudophanomeris inopinatus (Blkb.) (Braconidae) was reared from 23 Argopistes larvae. The beetle larvae might not be controlled to a significant level by natural enemies because the rate of parasitism was low. The olive flea beetles showed no attraction to traps containing various volatile compounds as baits. The lace bug, Plerochila australis Distant (Tingidae), was sometimes a pest. It showed a preference for the underside of leaves on the lower parts of the trees. A moth, Palpita unionalis Hübner (Crambidae), was reared in very low numbers and without parasitoids. A twig-boring beetle larva, chalcidoid parasitoids and seed wasps of the families Eurytomidae, Ormyridae and Eupelmidae were also recorded.