Does the Neotropical-native parasitoid Ganaspis pelleranoi successfully attack the globally invasive pest Drosphila suzukii?

Abstract

Strategies that are ecologically friendly to the environment and human health, such as Biological Control, have achieved relevance in insect pest control/eradication programs in agriculture worldwide. The objective of the study was to analyze the preference of the native endoparasitoid G. pelleranoi (Gp) (Figitidae: Eucoilinae) for Anastrepha fraterculus (Af), Ceratitis capitata (Cc) (Diptera: Tephritidae) or Drosophila suzukii (Ds) (Diptera: Drosophilidae). Host choice and non-host choice tests were performed under lab conditions. Treatments were as follows: no-choice tests involving only (1) Af, (2) Cc, and (3) Ds and choice tests including (4) Af and Ds and (5) Cc and Ds. A 20:1 host/parasitoid female ratio and 5-d-old unexperienced, mated Gp females were used. Host larvae were exposed 8 h in oviposition units. The number of visits and the number of ovipositions were recorded. Parasitism, parasitoid and fly emergence, sex ratio, and host additional mortality were also assessed. Data were analyzed by using General Linear Models. The performance of Gp as a host mortality factor was similar and significant for all pest species but the figitid successfully developed only in both tephritid species. The cumulative mortality (parasitism plus additional host mortality) recorded in tephritid species and Ds was close to 98%. This ability of Gp is a valuable trait as a potential biological control agent.