Evaluation of rearing parameters of a self-limiting strain of the Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata (Diptera: Tephritidae)

Abstract

The Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata, (medfly) is an important pest of stone and pome fruit, causing significant economic losses worldwide. Current control is primarily based on insecticides, often mixed with protein baits. Chemical approaches are effective but there are label limits to avoid residues in fruits and harm to the environment and sustained use will lead to pesticide resistance in the medfly pest. In recent years, emphasis has been placed on environmentally friendly methods to control medfly.\n\nOxitec has developed a self-limiting medfly strain (OX3864A) that demonstrates conditional female-specific mortality in the early life stages. Sustained release of OX3864A males offers a mating-based approach to medfly control, which should lead to significant economic benefits in area-wide programmes. Furthermore, a heritable fluorescent marker provides quick and accurate identification of released OX3864A males for efficient monitoring in the field.\n\nAn important prerequisite of mating-based control programmes is the availability of adequate numbers of high-quality male flies in a sustainable and cost-effective manner. This paper summarises rearing optimisations for the OX3864A strain and the production of OX3864A males.