Functional response and preference of Diachasmimorpha longicaudata (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) in Ceratitis capitata and Anastrepha fraterculus (Diptera: Tephritidae)

Abstract

Diachasmimorpha longicaudata is the most used braconid in biological control programs for Tephritidae fruit fl ies worldwide. The aim of this work was to assess the functional response and preference of this parasitoid to larvae of Ceratitis capitata and Anastrepha fraterculus, in different densities of hosts. The functional response of females of D. longicaudata was assessed, independently, in two hosts (third instar larvae of C. capitata or A. fraterculus), in seven densities 1, 3, 5, 10, 25, 35 or 55 larvae of fruit fl ies per one female of parasitoid exposed in unit of artifi cial parasitism, for three hours, in at least 20 repetitions. The species showed a Type III functional response regardless of the density of host larvae, in both species, indicating that they are feasible hosts for multiplication of the parasitoid, under the conditions tested. The number of individuals parasitized and the percentage of female emergence were superior in A. fraterculus, when compared to C. capitata. Parasitism in fi eld and progeny of female parasitoids can be incremented using larvae of A. fraterculus in the rearing of D. longicaudata.