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Cross mating studies among five fruit fly parasitoid populations: potential biological control implications for tephritid pests

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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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Acknowledgements

The authors will like to acknowledge the following for their contributions and support; ICIPE and the African Fruit Fly Initiative (AFFI) (for logistics and biological materials). We would also like to thank S. Dupas (IRD, Paris, France), M. De Meyer (Tervuren Museum, Belgium), M. Mansell (USDA-APHIS, South Africa), I. M. White (NHM, UK), M. Wandago, J. Rume and P. Nderitu (all of ICIPE) for various contributions. Funding was by the Dutch Government (DSO) through the African Regional Postgraduate Programme in Insect Science (ARPPIS), and in part by the International Foundation for Science (IFS), Sweden (Grant No. C3190/1 to M. K. Billah of University of Ghana and ICIPE).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Biosystematics Unit, International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE), Box 30772-00100 GPO, Nairobi, Kenya

    Maxwell K. Billah

  2. Department of Zoology, University of Ghana, Box LG. 67, Legon-Accra, Ghana

    Maxwell K. Billah, David D. Wilson & Millicent A. Cobblah

  3. Species 2000 Project, Centre for Plant Diversity and Systematics, University of Reading, Reading, RG6 6AS, UK

    Susan W. Kimani-Njogu

  4. Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA

    Robert A. Wharton

  5. Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS), University of Florida, Ft. Pierce, FL, 34945, USA

    William A. Overholt

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  1. Maxwell K. Billah
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  2. Susan W. Kimani-Njogu
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Correspondence to Maxwell K. Billah.

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Billah, M.K., Kimani-Njogu, S.W., Wharton, R.A. et al. Cross mating studies among five fruit fly parasitoid populations: potential biological control implications for tephritid pests . BioControl 53, 709–724 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10526-007-9108-y

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