Development of the soil-inhabiting stages of Ceratitis capitata infected with entomopathogenic nematodes: insights on survival

Abstract

ABSTRACT The Mediterranean fruit fly Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann) (Diptera: Tephritidae) is a major pest that affects fruit production worldwide. This insect spends part of its life cycle in the soil, making it a target for entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs). Laboratory assays were conducted to assess the development of the soil-inhabiting stages (third-instar larvae, prepupae, and pupae), in terms of survival, infected with the EPN strains Steinernema carpocapsae (Weiser) All, Steinernema riobrave Cabanillas, Poinar & Raulston ML29, Heterorhabditis bacteriophora (Poinar) HP88, and H. bacteriophora AS1. Treatment with the native strain (H. bacteriophora AS1) caused the highest mortality compared to the remaining exotic strains. Mortality of the third-instar larvae in the sand proportionally increased to the nematode density (infective juveniles per cm2). Of the tested stages, larvae were the most susceptible stage. Young pupae (1-day-old) were more susceptible to all nematode strains than older pupae (9-day-old). Development, in terms of survival, is a good criterion to evaluate the potential of EPNs to monitor C. capitata.