Augmentative Biological Control as a Workable Strategy Within an Area-Wide Integrated Fruit Fly Management Approach: Case Studies from Mexico and Argentina

Abstract

Augmentative release of parasitoids is a suitable strategy to control fruitfy populations. Parasitoid release is relevant because it may be used strategically tointegrate with other control methods. Augmentative Biological Control (ABC) aimsto release high densities of mass produced into an area to suppress the populationgrowth rate of the target fruit fy species. In Latin America, there are several examples of ABC against Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann) and against species of theNeotropical genus Anastrepha Schiner. The introduced parasitoid Diachasmimorphalongicaudata (Ashmead) is the main species used in ABC programs. Successfuloutcomes have been achieved in Mexico and central-western Argentina by D. longicaudata mass releases. In ?BioPlanta San Juan,? Argentina, D. longicaudata is massreared on larvae of C. capitata Vienna-8 (tsl) strain. This parasitoid is released inirrigated semiarid fruit-growing valleys. On the contrary to Mexico, D. longicaudata is mass produced on larvae of Anastrepha ludens (Loew) at the biofactory ofthe Fruit Fly National Program to release it over larger subtropical areas. Postrelease data have shown higher values than 50% of host mortality. This chapterprovides particular information on the use of biological control, within the area-wide program in environmentally distinguishable regions. Advantages, social problems,and their relation with costs are also discussed.